diff --git a/lcpng_interface.c b/lcpng_interface.c
index ef3b8fc..798eadc 100644
--- a/lcpng_interface.c
+++ b/lcpng_interface.c
@@ -787,6 +787,12 @@ lcp_itf_pair_create (u32 phy_sw_if_index, u8 *host_if_name,
       return VNET_API_ERROR_INVALID_SW_IF_INDEX;
   }
 
+  if (hw->hw_class_index != ethernet_hw_interface_class.index &&
+      host_if_type == LCP_ITF_HOST_TAP) {
+      LCP_ITF_PAIR_ERR (
+	"pair_create: don't create TAP for non-eth interface; use tun");
+      return VNET_API_ERROR_INVALID_ARGUMENT;
+  }
 
   /*
    * Use interface-specific netns if supplied.