diff --git a/src/gallium/drivers/llvmpipe/lp_tile_cache.c b/src/gallium/drivers/llvmpipe/lp_tile_cache.c
index 2e576e6039d..73460106f38 100644
--- a/src/gallium/drivers/llvmpipe/lp_tile_cache.c
+++ b/src/gallium/drivers/llvmpipe/lp_tile_cache.c
@@ -48,6 +48,12 @@ struct llvmpipe_tile_cache *
 lp_create_tile_cache( struct pipe_screen *screen )
 {
    struct llvmpipe_tile_cache *tc;
+   int maxLevels, maxTexSize;
+
+   /* sanity checking: max sure MAX_WIDTH/HEIGHT >= largest texture image */
+   maxLevels = screen->get_param(screen, PIPE_CAP_MAX_TEXTURE_2D_LEVELS);
+   maxTexSize = 1 << (maxLevels - 1);
+   assert(MAX_WIDTH >= maxTexSize);
 
    tc = CALLOC_STRUCT( llvmpipe_tile_cache );
    if(!tc)