diff --git a/libstdc++-v3/src/c++11/limits.cc b/libstdc++-v3/src/c++11/limits.cc
index 21d4427f10b..585cb8c92db 100644
--- a/libstdc++-v3/src/c++11/limits.cc
+++ b/libstdc++-v3/src/c++11/limits.cc
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@
 // 18.2.1
 //
 
+#if __cpp_inline_variables
+# error This file must be compiled as C++11 or C++14
+#endif
+
 #include <limits>
 
 namespace std _GLIBCXX_VISIBILITY(default)