diff --git a/core/src/rpc.rs b/core/src/rpc.rs
index c62cd533d9..a191ba036d 100644
--- a/core/src/rpc.rs
+++ b/core/src/rpc.rs
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ use solana_sdk::{
     pubkey::Pubkey,
     signature::Signature,
     stake_history::StakeHistory,
+    system_instruction,
     sysvar::{stake_history, Sysvar},
     timing::slot_duration_from_slots_per_year,
     transaction::{self, Transaction},
@@ -1833,6 +1834,9 @@ impl RpcSol for RpcSolImpl {
             "get_minimum_balance_for_rent_exemption rpc request received: {:?}",
             data_len
         );
+        if data_len as u64 > system_instruction::MAX_PERMITTED_DATA_LENGTH {
+            return Err(Error::invalid_request());
+        }
         Ok(meta.get_minimum_balance_for_rent_exemption(data_len, commitment))
     }
 
@@ -2539,7 +2543,7 @@ pub mod tests {
         message::Message,
         nonce, rpc_port,
         signature::{Keypair, Signer},
-        system_instruction, system_program, system_transaction,
+        system_program, system_transaction,
         transaction::{self, TransactionError},
     };
     use solana_transaction_status::{EncodedTransaction, TransactionWithStatusMeta, UiMessage};