diff --git a/byterun/extern.c b/byterun/extern.c
index c4ce514eb..15f709077 100644
--- a/byterun/extern.c
+++ b/byterun/extern.c
@@ -136,6 +136,8 @@ static void emit_compact(chan, v)
 #endif
     } else
       output32(chan, CODE_INT32, n);
+  } else if (!Is_atom(v) && !Is_young(v) && !Is_in_heap(v)) {
+    invalid_argument("output_value: abstract value");
   } else {
     header_t hd = Hd_val(v);
     tag_t tag = Tag_hd(hd);