A man was stabbed in the back in his Gold Coast unit after refusing to hand over money to two would-be thieves.

The two men entered the Barton Street unit in Southport through an unlocked door about 3.20pm on Wednesday and demanded money from the male resident.

The 36-year-old homeowner fought back but was stabbed during the struggle and taken to hospital with the non-life-threatening injury.

The thieves fled empty-handed and detectives have appealed for information regarding anyone seen acting suspiciously in the area close to the time of the attack to come forward.