diff --git a/src/force.cpp b/src/force.cpp
index 1a826b2843..dc55d04d23 100644
--- a/src/force.cpp
+++ b/src/force.cpp
@@ -196,6 +196,28 @@ void Force::init()
   if (angle) angle->init();
   if (dihedral) dihedral->init();
   if (improper) improper->init();
+
+  // print warnings if topology and force field are inconsistent
+
+  if (comm->me == 0) {
+    if (!bond && (atom->nbonds > 0)) {
+      error->warning(FLERR,"Bonds are defined but no bond style is set");
+      if ((special_lj[1] != 1.0) || (special_coul[1] != 1.0))
+	error->warning(FLERR,"1-2 special neighbor interactions != 1.0");
+    }
+    if (!angle && (atom->nangles > 0)) {
+      error->warning(FLERR,"Angles are defined but no angle style is set");
+      if ((special_lj[2] != 1.0) || (special_coul[2] != 1.0))
+	error->warning(FLERR,"1-3 special neighbor interactions != 1.0");
+    }
+    if (!dihedral && (atom->ndihedrals > 0)) {
+      error->warning(FLERR,"Dihedrals are defined but no dihedral style is set");
+      if ((special_lj[3] != 1.0) || (special_coul[3] != 1.0))
+	error->warning(FLERR,"1-4 special neighbor interactions != 1.0");
+    }
+    if (!improper && (atom->nimpropers > 0))
+      error->warning(FLERR,"Impropers are defined but no improper style is set");
+  }
 }
 
 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */