diff --git a/doc/src/pair_bop.rst b/doc/src/pair_bop.rst
index 0508bf16ef..e525ee6051 100644
--- a/doc/src/pair_bop.rst
+++ b/doc/src/pair_bop.rst
@@ -385,7 +385,12 @@ enabled if LAMMPS was built with that package.  See the :doc:`Build package <Bui
 These pair potentials require the :doc:`newtion <newton>` setting to be
 "on" for pair interactions.
 
-The CdTe.bop and GaAs.bop potential files provided with LAMMPS (see the
+Pair style bop is not compatible with being used as a substyle with
+doc:`hybrid pair styles <pair_hybrid>`. Pair style bop is also not
+compatible with :doc:`multi-cutoff neighbor lists <neigbor>` or
+:doc:`multi-cutoff communitcation <comm_modify>`.
+
+The .bop.table potential files provided with LAMMPS (see the
 potentials directory) are parameterized for metal :doc:`units <units>`.
 You can use the BOP potential with any LAMMPS units, but you would need
 to create your own BOP potential file with coefficients listed in the
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp
index 9041d25b53..0dbcb1de15 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp
@@ -406,6 +406,15 @@ void PairBOP::init_style()
   if (force->newton_pair == 0)
     error->all(FLERR,"Pair style BOP requires newton pair on");
 
+  if (utils::strmatch(force->pair_style,"^hybrid"))
+    error->all(FLERR,"Pair style BOP is not compatible with hybrid pair styles");
+
+  if ((neighbor->style == Neighbor::MULTI) || (neighbor->style == Neighbor::MULTI_OLD))
+    error->all(FLERR,"Pair style BOP is not compatible with multi-cutoff neighbor lists");
+
+  if (comm->mode != Comm::SINGLE)
+    error->all(FLERR,"Pair style BOP is not compatible with multi-cutoff communication");
+
   // check that user sets comm->cutghostuser to 3x the max BOP cutoff
 
   if (comm->cutghostuser-0.001 < 3.0*cutmax)