diff --git a/sbin/savecore/Makefile b/sbin/savecore/Makefile
index 384af1370ec4..172df7e857bc 100644
--- a/sbin/savecore/Makefile
+++ b/sbin/savecore/Makefile
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ MAN=	savecore.8
 
 .include <src.opts.mk>
 
-.if ${MK_CASPER} != "no" && !defined(RESCUE)
+.if ${MK_DYNAMICROOT} == "no"
+.warning ${PROG} built without libcasper support
+.elif ${MK_CASPER} != "no" && !defined(RESCUE)
 CFLAGS+=	-DWITH_CASPER
 LIBADD+=	casper cap_fileargs cap_syslog
 .endif