diff --git a/examples/seismic/self_adjoint/example_iso.py b/examples/seismic/self_adjoint/example_iso.py
index 1702ef73ee..7899e43355 100644
--- a/examples/seismic/self_adjoint/example_iso.py
+++ b/examples/seismic/self_adjoint/example_iso.py
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@
 def acoustic_sa_setup(shape=(50, 50, 50), spacing=(10.0, 10.0, 10.0),
                       tn=500., space_order=8, nbl=10, **kwargs):
     # SA parameters
+    if space_order < 8:
+        info("Low space order not supported, running space_order=8")
+        space_order = 8
     qmin = 0.1
     qmax = 1000.0
     fpeak = 0.010