diff --git a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt
index 8131766ae00..58f55a42daf 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt
+++ b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt
@@ -16,3 +16,6 @@ unusual; your job may behave unpredictably (and/or abort) after this.
   Local host: %s
   Location: %s:%d
   Error: %s (%zd)
+#
+[message too big]
+Message size %llu bigger than supported by selected transport. Max = %llu
diff --git a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi.h b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi.h
index 8a6918cf78f..77261e4bc21 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi.h
+++ b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi.h
@@ -247,13 +247,20 @@ ompi_mtl_ofi_send_start(struct mca_mtl_base_module_t *mtl,
     endpoint = ompi_mtl_ofi_get_endpoint(mtl, ompi_proc);
 
     ompi_ret = ompi_mtl_datatype_pack(convertor, &start, &length, &free_after);
-    if (OMPI_SUCCESS != ompi_ret) return ompi_ret;
+    if (OPAL_UNLIKELY(OMPI_SUCCESS != ompi_ret)) {
+        return ompi_ret;
+    }
 
     ofi_req->buffer = (free_after) ? start : NULL;
     ofi_req->length = length;
     ofi_req->status.MPI_ERROR = OMPI_SUCCESS;
 
-    if (OPAL_UNLIKELY(MCA_PML_BASE_SEND_SYNCHRONOUS == mode)) {
+    if (OPAL_UNLIKELY(length > endpoint->mtl_ofi_module->max_msg_size)) {
+        opal_show_help("help-mtl-ofi.txt",
+            "message too big", false,
+            length, endpoint->mtl_ofi_module->max_msg_size);
+        return OMPI_ERROR;
+    } else if (OPAL_UNLIKELY(MCA_PML_BASE_SEND_SYNCHRONOUS == mode)) {
         ack_req = malloc(sizeof(ompi_mtl_ofi_request_t));
         assert(ack_req);
         ack_req->parent = ofi_req;
diff --git a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c
index b5d3959837b..56a68c13d08 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c
+++ b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c
@@ -466,9 +466,10 @@ ompi_mtl_ofi_component_init(bool enable_progress_threads,
     }
 
     /**
-     * Save the maximum inject size.
+     * Save the maximum sizes.
      */
     ompi_mtl_ofi.max_inject_size = prov->tx_attr->inject_size;
+    ompi_mtl_ofi.max_msg_size = prov->ep_attr->max_msg_size;
 
     /**
      * Create the objects that will be bound to the endpoint.
diff --git a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_types.h b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_types.h
index e8c3f21b53e..f0b36feefae 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_types.h
+++ b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_types.h
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ typedef struct mca_mtl_ofi_module_t {
     /** Maximum inject size */
     size_t max_inject_size;
 
+    /** Largest message that can be sent in a single send. */
+    size_t max_msg_size;
+
     /** Maximum number of CQ events to read in OFI Progress */
     int ofi_progress_event_count;