diff --git a/include/wx/mac/carbon/chkconf.h b/include/wx/mac/carbon/chkconf.h
index f9c630775e..a876f055b0 100644
--- a/include/wx/mac/carbon/chkconf.h
+++ b/include/wx/mac/carbon/chkconf.h
@@ -34,6 +34,13 @@
     #define wxMAC_USE_CORE_GRAPHICS 0
 #endif
 
+/*
+ * check graphics context option
+ */
+#if wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT && !wxMAC_USE_CORE_GRAPHICS
+#   error "wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT on wxMac requires wxMAC_USE_CORE_GRAPHICS"
+#endif
+
 /*
  * native (1) or emulated (0) toolbar
  */