diff --git a/ci/test-stable.sh b/ci/test-stable.sh
index f394fe882c..92428a6871 100755
--- a/ci/test-stable.sh
+++ b/ci/test-stable.sh
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ _() {
   "$@"
 }
 
+if [[ $(ulimit -n) -lt 65000 ]]; then
+  echo 'Error: nofiles too small, run "ulimit -n 65000" to continue'
+  exit 1
+fi
+
 _ cargo build --all --verbose
 _ cargo test --verbose --lib -- --nocapture