diff --git a/net/sched/sch_teql.c b/net/sched/sch_teql.c
index 8badec6d82a2..6e4bdaa876ed 100644
--- a/net/sched/sch_teql.c
+++ b/net/sched/sch_teql.c
@@ -178,6 +178,11 @@ static int teql_qdisc_init(struct Qdisc *sch, struct nlattr *opt,
 	if (m->dev == dev)
 		return -ELOOP;
 
+	if (sch->parent != TC_H_ROOT) {
+		NL_SET_ERR_MSG_MOD(extack, "teql can only be used as root");
+		return -EOPNOTSUPP;
+	}
+
 	q->m = m;
 
 	skb_queue_head_init(&q->q);