diff --git a/target/arm/kvm_arm.h b/target/arm/kvm_arm.h
index ff53e9fafb..cfb7e5af72 100644
--- a/target/arm/kvm_arm.h
+++ b/target/arm/kvm_arm.h
@@ -234,6 +234,10 @@ static inline const char *gicv3_class_name(void)
         exit(1);
 #endif
     } else {
+        if (kvm_enabled()) {
+            error_report("Userspace GICv3 is not supported with KVM");
+            exit(1);
+        }
         return "arm-gicv3";
     }
 }