diff --git a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt
index 8131766ae0..fe00f11159 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt
+++ b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/help-mtl-ofi.txt
@@ -16,3 +16,5 @@ 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 1a04a5bad2..74f6324c8b 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi.h
+++ b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi.h
@@ -308,13 +308,22 @@ ompi_mtl_ofi_send(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;
     ofi_req.completion_count = 0;
 
+    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;
+    }
+
     if (ompi_mtl_ofi.fi_cq_data) {
         match_bits = mtl_ofi_create_send_tag_CQD(comm->c_contextid, tag);
         src_addr = endpoint->peer_fiaddr;
@@ -438,13 +447,20 @@ ompi_mtl_ofi_isend(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 (OMPI_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;
     ofi_req->completion_count = 1;
 
+    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;
+    }
+
     if (ompi_mtl_ofi.fi_cq_data) {
         match_bits = mtl_ofi_create_send_tag_CQD(comm->c_contextid, tag);
         src_addr = endpoint->peer_fiaddr;
diff --git a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c
index bc1a694789..1da8f2b045 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c
+++ b/ompi/mca/mtl/ofi/mtl_ofi_component.c
@@ -630,9 +630,10 @@ 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 5514b67a48..ec82cde589 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;