diff --git a/vl.c b/vl.c
index cde008e9ab..c8db57983b 100644
--- a/vl.c
+++ b/vl.c
@@ -8580,6 +8580,16 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
         nb_drives_opt == 0)
         help(1);
 
+    if (!linux_boot && *kernel_cmdline != '\0') {
+        fprintf(stderr, "-append only allowed with -kernel option\n");
+        exit(1);
+    }
+
+    if (!linux_boot && initrd_filename != NULL) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "-initrd only allowed with -kernel option\n");
+        exit(1);
+    }
+
     /* boot to floppy or the default cd if no hard disk defined yet */
     if (!boot_devices[0]) {
         boot_devices = "cad";