diff --git a/xija/model.py b/xija/model.py
index 001e15fe..ac82438d 100644
--- a/xija/model.py
+++ b/xija/model.py
@@ -99,6 +99,9 @@ def __init__(self, name=None, start=None, stop=None, dt=None,
         if dt is None:
             dt = 328.0
 
+        if dt > 328.0:
+            raise RuntimeError("dt = %g s greater than upper limit of 328 s!" % dt)
+
         self.name = name
         self.comp = OrderedDict()
         self.dt = dt