diff --git a/source/lmp/compute_deeptensor_atom.cpp b/source/lmp/compute_deeptensor_atom.cpp
index 6af57f0b3c..0de523e1bf 100644
--- a/source/lmp/compute_deeptensor_atom.cpp
+++ b/source/lmp/compute_deeptensor_atom.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,14 @@ using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
 
 ComputeDeeptensorAtom::ComputeDeeptensorAtom(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg)
     : Compute(lmp, narg, arg), dp(lmp), tensor(nullptr) {
+  if (!(strcmp(update->unit_style, "metal") == 0 ||
+        strcmp(update->unit_style, "real") == 0)) {
+    error->all(
+        FLERR,
+        "Compute deeptensor/atom requires metal or real unit; please set it by "
+        "\"units metal\" or \"units real\"");
+  }
+
   if (narg < 4) {
     error->all(FLERR, "Illegal compute deeptensor/atom command");
   }