diff --git a/backup.c b/backup.c
index cf32c42e..2ab6670c 100644
--- a/backup.c
+++ b/backup.c
@@ -455,6 +455,10 @@ do_backup_arclog(parray *backup_list)
 	if ((uint32) current.stop_lsn == 0)
 		pg_switch_xlog(&current);
 
+	/* Archive backup is not available for a standby */
+	if (current.is_from_standby)
+		elog(ERROR_SYSTEM, _("Archive backup not allowed on a standby node"));
+
 	/*
 	 * Check if there is a full backup present on current timeline.
 	 * For an incremental or full backup, we are sure that there is one
diff --git a/pg_rman.txt b/pg_rman.txt
index 1e0f5cfb..a5f2e220 100644
--- a/pg_rman.txt
+++ b/pg_rman.txt
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ Incremental backup
     Backup only files or pages modified after the last verified backup. 
 
 Archive WAL backup
-    Backup only archive WAL files. 
+    Backup only archive WAL files. Archive backup is not available for
+    a standby node.
 
 It is recommended to verify backup files as soon as possible after backup.
 Unverified backup cannot be used in restore and in incremental backup.