diff --git a/kernel/bpf/verifier.c b/kernel/bpf/verifier.c
index 44e4ec1640f1..3a738724a380 100644
--- a/kernel/bpf/verifier.c
+++ b/kernel/bpf/verifier.c
@@ -12158,6 +12158,11 @@ static int check_struct_ops_btf_id(struct bpf_verifier_env *env)
 	u32 btf_id, member_idx;
 	const char *mname;
 
+	if (!prog->gpl_compatible) {
+		verbose(env, "struct ops programs must have a GPL compatible license\n");
+		return -EINVAL;
+	}
+
 	btf_id = prog->aux->attach_btf_id;
 	st_ops = bpf_struct_ops_find(btf_id);
 	if (!st_ops) {