diff --git a/SConstruct b/SConstruct
index 7ed02b71b6..4c9f9d3120 100644
--- a/SConstruct
+++ b/SConstruct
@@ -729,6 +729,11 @@ print()
 # *** Configure system-specific properties ***
 # ********************************************
 
+# Prevent setting prefix for Cantera installation to source directory
+if os.path.abspath(env['prefix']) == Dir('.').abspath:
+    print('ERROR: cannot install Cantera into source directory.')
+    exit(1)
+
 # Copy in external environment variables
 if env['env_vars'] == 'all':
     env['ENV'].update(os.environ)