diff --git a/rpcserver.go b/rpcserver.go
index f9753bbbe..5ff15de2f 100644
--- a/rpcserver.go
+++ b/rpcserver.go
@@ -1867,6 +1867,12 @@ func (r *rpcServer) OpenChannelSync(ctx context.Context,
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Making a channel to ourselves wouldn't be of any use, so we
+	// explicitly disallow them.
+	if nodePubKey.IsEqual(r.server.identityPriv.PubKey()) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot open channel to self")
+	}
+
 	localFundingAmt := btcutil.Amount(in.LocalFundingAmount)
 	remoteInitialBalance := btcutil.Amount(in.PushSat)
 	minHtlcIn := lnwire.MilliSatoshi(in.MinHtlcMsat)