diff --git a/src/volser/vos.c b/src/volser/vos.c
index 7a220736ec..be3c685cfd 100644
--- a/src/volser/vos.c
+++ b/src/volser/vos.c
@@ -2996,6 +2996,11 @@ DumpVolumeCmd(struct cmd_syndesc *as, void *arock)
     if (as->parms[2].items) {
 	filename = as->parms[2].items->data;
     } else {
+	if (isatty(STDOUT_FILENO)) {
+	    fprintf(STDERR, "Refusing to dump volume to a tty. Either redirect "
+			    "stdout, or specify a path with -file.\n");
+	    exit(1);
+	}
 	filename = "";
     }