diff --git a/src/net.h b/src/net.h
--- a/src/net.h
+++ b/src/net.h
@@ -52,6 +52,10 @@
 static const int FEELER_INTERVAL = 120;
 /** The maximum number of entries in an 'inv' protocol message */
 static const unsigned int MAX_INV_SZ = 50000;
+static_assert(MAX_PROTOCOL_MESSAGE_LENGTH > MAX_INV_SZ * sizeof(CInv),
+              "Max protocol message length must be greater than largest "
+              "possible INV message");
+
 /** The maximum number of new addresses to accumulate before announcing. */
 static const unsigned int MAX_ADDR_TO_SEND = 1000;
 /** Maximum length of strSubVer in `version` message */