diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
index 1835219ad..e21d0bd94 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_restore.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/restic/restic/internal/debug"
@@ -107,6 +108,10 @@ func runRestore(ctx context.Context, opts RestoreOptions, gopts GlobalOptions,
 		return errors.Fatal("--dry-run and --verify are mutually exclusive")
 	}
 
+	if opts.Delete && filepath.Clean(opts.Target) == "/" && !hasExcludes && !hasIncludes {
+		return errors.Fatal("'--target / --delete' must be combined with an include or exclude filter")
+	}
+
 	snapshotIDString := args[0]
 
 	debug.Log("restore %v to %v", snapshotIDString, opts.Target)