diff --git a/tools/patman/database.py b/tools/patman/database.py
index e6684f990da..4557c4ff3fc 100644
--- a/tools/patman/database.py
+++ b/tools/patman/database.py
@@ -86,6 +86,12 @@ class Database:  # pylint:disable=R0904
     def start(self):
         """Open the database read for use, migrate to latest schema"""
         self.open_it()
+        old_version = self.get_schema_version()
+        if old_version > LATEST:
+            self.close()
+            tout.fatal(
+                f'Database version {old_version} is too new (max'
+                f' {LATEST}); please update patman')
         self.migrate_to(LATEST)
 
     def open_it(self):
diff --git a/tools/patman/test_cseries.py b/tools/patman/test_cseries.py
index 11724b1378f..3a9411033a6 100644
--- a/tools/patman/test_cseries.py
+++ b/tools/patman/test_cseries.py
@@ -3318,6 +3318,23 @@ Date:   .*
             self.assertEqual(version, db.get_schema_version())
         self.assertEqual(4, database.LATEST)
 
+    def test_migrate_future_version(self):
+        """Test that a database newer than patman is rejected"""
+        db = database.Database(f'{self.tmpdir}/.patman.db')
+        with terminal.capture():
+            db.start()
+
+        # Set the schema version beyond what patman supports
+        db.cur.execute(
+            f'UPDATE schema_version SET version = {database.LATEST + 1}')
+        db.commit()
+        db.close()
+
+        with self.assertRaises(SystemExit):
+            with terminal.capture() as (_, err):
+                db.start()
+        self.assertIn('is too new', err.getvalue())
+
     def test_series_scan(self):
         """Test scanning a series for updates"""
         cser, _ = self.setup_second()