diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_libraries.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_libraries.py
index dc6d8b976d..f6b8905dcc 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_libraries.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_libraries.py
@@ -847,3 +847,27 @@ class TestOverrides(LibraryTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(self.problem_in_course.display_name, new_display_name)
         self.assertEqual(self.problem_in_course.weight, new_weight)
         self.assertEqual(self.problem_in_course.data, new_data_value)
+
+
+class TestIncompatibleModuleStore(LibraryTestCase):
+    """
+    Tests for proper validation errors with an incompatible course modulestore.
+    """
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(TestIncompatibleModuleStore, self).setUp()
+        # Create a course in an incompatible modulestore.
+        with modulestore().default_store(ModuleStoreEnum.Type.mongo):
+            self.course = CourseFactory.create()
+
+        # Add a LibraryContent block to the course:
+        self.lc_block = self._add_library_content_block(self.course, self.lib_key)
+
+    def test_incompatible_modulestore(self):
+        """
+        Verifies that, if a user is using a modulestore that doesn't support libraries,
+        a validation error will be produced.
+        """
+        validation = self.lc_block.validate()
+        self.assertEqual(validation.summary.type, validation.summary.ERROR)
+        self.assertIn(
+            "This course does not support content libraries.", validation.summary.text)
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_content_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_content_module.py
index e87d8fcbbe..2d9aa6fbc7 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_content_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_content_module.py
@@ -434,6 +434,18 @@ class LibraryContentDescriptor(LibraryContentFields, MakoModuleDescriptor, XmlDe
         validation = super(LibraryContentDescriptor, self).validate()
         if not isinstance(validation, StudioValidation):
             validation = StudioValidation.copy(validation)
+        library_tools = self.runtime.service(self, "library_tools")
+        if not (library_tools and library_tools.can_use_library_content(self)):
+            validation.set_summary(
+                StudioValidationMessage(
+                    StudioValidationMessage.ERROR,
+                    _(
+                        u"This course does not support content libraries. "
+                        u"Contact your system administrator for more information."
+                    )
+                )
+            )
+            return validation
         if not self.source_libraries:
             validation.set_summary(
                 StudioValidationMessage(
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_tools.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_tools.py
index aebe2aef98..0297e4fbbb 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_tools.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/library_tools.py
@@ -96,6 +96,12 @@ class LibraryToolsService(object):
         assert isinstance(descriptor, CapaDescriptor)
         return capa_type in descriptor.problem_types
 
+    def can_use_library_content(self, block):
+        """
+        Determines whether a modulestore holding a course_id supports libraries.
+        """
+        return self.store.check_supports(block.location.course_key, 'copy_from_template')
+
     def update_children(self, dest_block, user_id, user_perms=None):
         """
         This method is to be used when any of the libraries that a LibraryContentModule
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py
index 8d92a3579f..4d7a6e2df3 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py
@@ -441,6 +441,17 @@ class ModuleStoreAssetBase(object):
             ret_assets.append(new_asset)
         return ret_assets
 
+    # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    def check_supports(self, course_key, method):
+        """
+        Verifies that a modulestore supports a particular method.
+
+        Some modulestores may differ based on the course_key, such
+        as mixed (since it has to find the underlying modulestore),
+        so it's required as part of the method signature.
+        """
+        return hasattr(self, method)
+
 
 class ModuleStoreAssetWriteInterface(ModuleStoreAssetBase):
     """
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mixed.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mixed.py
index 96471c9915..b3c775619b 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mixed.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mixed.py
@@ -850,6 +850,17 @@ class MixedModuleStore(ModuleStoreDraftAndPublished, ModuleStoreWriteBase):
         store = self._verify_modulestore_support(xblock.location.course_key, 'has_changes')
         return store.has_changes(xblock)
 
+    def check_supports(self, course_key, method):
+        """
+        Verifies that the modulestore for a particular course supports a feature.
+        Returns True/false based on this.
+        """
+        try:
+            self._verify_modulestore_support(course_key, method)
+            return True
+        except NotImplementedError:
+            return False
+
     def _verify_modulestore_support(self, course_key, method):
         """
         Finds and returns the store that contains the course for the given location, and verifying