diff --git a/samples/console/console.cpp b/samples/console/console.cpp
index 59760cdb2b..5e8f8eab25 100644
--- a/samples/console/console.cpp
+++ b/samples/console/console.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,12 @@
 // headers
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+#include <wx/defs.h>
+
+#if wxUSE_GUI
+    #error "This sample can't be compiled in GUI mode."
+#endif // wxUSE_GUI
+
 #include <stdio.h>
 
 #include <wx/string.h>