diff --git a/init/initramfs.c b/init/initramfs.c
index d28c1094d7e5ca8be38b50109161470ef2b27537..85f04037ade137c6ce452f3183db87527f80e6cf 100644
--- a/init/initramfs.c
+++ b/init/initramfs.c
@@ -182,6 +182,10 @@ static int __init do_collect(void)
 
 static int __init do_header(void)
 {
+	if (memcmp(collected, "070707", 6)==0) {
+		error("incorrect cpio method used: use -H newc option");
+		return 1;
+	}
 	if (memcmp(collected, "070701", 6)) {
 		error("no cpio magic");
 		return 1;