diff --git a/migration/options.c b/migration/options.c
index b8c3c3218d..37fa1cfe74 100644
--- a/migration/options.c
+++ b/migration/options.c
@@ -625,6 +625,13 @@ bool migrate_caps_check(bool *old_caps, bool *new_caps, Error **errp)
         }
     }
 
+    if (new_caps[MIGRATION_CAPABILITY_COMPRESS]) {
+        if (new_caps[MIGRATION_CAPABILITY_XBZRLE]) {
+            error_setg(errp, "Compression is not compatible with xbzrle");
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
     return true;
 }