diff --git a/migration/options.c b/migration/options.c
index 8d8ec73ad9..3e3e0b93b4 100644
--- a/migration/options.c
+++ b/migration/options.c
@@ -833,8 +833,10 @@ uint64_t migrate_max_postcopy_bandwidth(void)
 MigMode migrate_mode(void)
 {
     MigrationState *s = migrate_get_current();
+    MigMode mode = s->parameters.mode;
 
-    return s->parameters.mode;
+    assert(mode >= 0 && mode < MIG_MODE__MAX);
+    return mode;
 }
 
 int migrate_multifd_channels(void)