diff --git a/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd.inc b/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd.inc
index b8dbe2263a..f9e109bba4 100644
--- a/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd.inc
+++ b/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd.inc
@@ -21,3 +21,8 @@ SRC_URI = "git://github.com/systemd/systemd-stable.git;protocol=https;branch=${S
 "
 
 S = "${WORKDIR}/git"
+
+# unmerged-usr support is deprecated upstream, taints the system and will be
+# removed in the near future. Fail the build if it is not enabled.
+inherit features_check
+REQUIRED_DISTRO_FEATURES = "usrmerge"