diff --git a/lib/ftl/ftl_init.c b/lib/ftl/ftl_init.c
index ef2dae551..837951fce 100644
--- a/lib/ftl/ftl_init.c
+++ b/lib/ftl/ftl_init.c
@@ -524,6 +524,12 @@ ftl_dev_init_nv_cache(struct spdk_ftl_dev *dev, struct spdk_bdev_desc *bdev_desc
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	if (spdk_bdev_get_dif_type(bdev) != SPDK_DIF_DISABLE) {
+		SPDK_ERRLOG("Unsupported DIF type used by bdev %s\n",
+			    spdk_bdev_get_name(bdev));
+		return -1;
+	}
+
 	/* The cache needs to be capable of storing at least two full bands. This requirement comes
 	 * from the fact that cache works as a protection against power loss, so before the data
 	 * inside the cache can be overwritten, the band it's stored on has to be closed. Plus one