diff --git a/initdb.py b/initdb.py
index 456587220..c81e148f3 100644
--- a/initdb.py
+++ b/initdb.py
@@ -508,6 +508,10 @@ def populate_database():
 if __name__ == '__main__':
   log_level = getattr(logging, app.config['LOGGING_LEVEL'])
   logging.basicConfig(level=log_level)
+
+  if not isinstance(model.db.obj, SqliteDatabase):
+    raise RuntimeError('Attempted to initialize production database!')
+
   initialize_database()
 
   if app.config.get('POPULATE_DB_TEST_DATA', False):