diff --git a/arch/parisc/include/asm/bitops.h b/arch/parisc/include/asm/bitops.h
index 0ec9cfc5131f..56ffd260c669 100644
--- a/arch/parisc/include/asm/bitops.h
+++ b/arch/parisc/include/asm/bitops.h
@@ -12,6 +12,14 @@
 #include <asm/barrier.h>
 #include <linux/atomic.h>
 
+/* compiler build environment sanity checks: */
+#if !defined(CONFIG_64BIT) && defined(__LP64__)
+#error "Please use 'ARCH=parisc' to build the 32-bit kernel."
+#endif
+#if defined(CONFIG_64BIT) && !defined(__LP64__)
+#error "Please use 'ARCH=parisc64' to build the 64-bit kernel."
+#endif
+
 /* See http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?t=108826637900003 for discussion
  * on use of volatile and __*_bit() (set/clear/change):
  *	*_bit() want use of volatile.