diff --git a/board/main.c b/board/main.c
index e27fc4d..4110481 100644
--- a/board/main.c
+++ b/board/main.c
@@ -471,7 +471,10 @@ int usb_cb_control_msg(USB_Setup_TypeDef *setup, uint8_t *resp, bool hardwired)
       break;
     // **** 0xdf: set unsafe mode
     case 0xdf:
-      unsafe_mode = setup->b.wValue.w;
+      // you can only set this if you are in a non car safety mode
+      if (safety_mode == SAFETY_SILENT || safety_mode == SAFETY_NOOUTPUT || safety_mode == SAFETY_ELM327) {
+        unsafe_mode = setup->b.wValue.w;
+      }
       break;
     // **** 0xe0: uart read
     case 0xe0: