diff --git a/source/lmp/pair_deepmd.cpp b/source/lmp/pair_deepmd.cpp
index 91f8e4b7c9..2e633dafe3 100644
--- a/source/lmp/pair_deepmd.cpp
+++ b/source/lmp/pair_deepmd.cpp
@@ -310,6 +310,7 @@ void PairDeepMD::compute(int eflag, int vflag)
 {
   if (numb_models == 0) return;
   if (eflag || vflag) ev_setup(eflag,vflag);
+  if (vflag_atom) error->all(FLERR, "6-element atomic virial is not supported. Use compute centroid/stress/atom command for 9-element atomic virial.");
   bool do_ghost = true;
   
   double **x = atom->x;