diff --git a/src/ivfutils.c b/src/ivfutils.c
index 690bea9..02e0839 100644
--- a/src/ivfutils.c
+++ b/src/ivfutils.c
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ VectorArrayInit(int maxlen, int dimensions, Size itemsize)
 {
 	VectorArray res;
 
-	if (maxlen < 1 || dimensions < 1)
-		elog(ERROR, "safety check failed");
+	if (maxlen < 1 || dimensions < 1 || itemsize == 0)
+		elog(ERROR, "cannot create vector array");
 
 	/* Ensure items are aligned to prevent UB */
 	itemsize = MAXALIGN(itemsize);