diff --git a/src/common.cc b/src/common.cc
index 5fd3274d..8d5565e3 100755
--- a/src/common.cc
+++ b/src/common.cc
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 
 // Verify platform and compiler compatibility
 
+#if (VIPS_MAJOR_VERSION < 7 || (VIPS_MAJOR_VERSION == 7 && VIPS_MINOR_VERSION < 40))
+#error libvips version 7.40.0+ required - see https://github.com/lovell/sharp#prerequisites
+#endif
+
 #ifdef _WIN64
 #error Windows 64-bit is currently unsupported - see https://github.com/lovell/sharp#windows
 #endif