diff --git a/migration/migration.c b/migration/migration.c
index f13b07c638..9172686b89 100644
--- a/migration/migration.c
+++ b/migration/migration.c
@@ -1237,6 +1237,14 @@ static bool migrate_caps_check(bool *cap_list,
         }
     }
 
+    /* incoming side only */
+    if (runstate_check(RUN_STATE_INMIGRATE) &&
+        !migrate_multifd_is_allowed() &&
+        cap_list[MIGRATION_CAPABILITY_MULTIFD]) {
+        error_setg(errp, "multifd is not supported by current protocol");
+        return false;
+    }
+
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/migration/multifd.c b/migration/multifd.c
index 283f672bf0..7c9deb1921 100644
--- a/migration/multifd.c
+++ b/migration/multifd.c
@@ -868,7 +868,7 @@ cleanup:
     multifd_new_send_channel_cleanup(p, sioc, local_err);
 }
 
-static bool migrate_allow_multifd;
+static bool migrate_allow_multifd = true;
 void migrate_protocol_allow_multifd(bool allow)
 {
     migrate_allow_multifd = allow;