diff --git a/package/python3/python3.mk b/package/python3/python3.mk
index ef0658262a..1546915f08 100644
--- a/package/python3/python3.mk
+++ b/package/python3/python3.mk
@@ -315,3 +315,11 @@ define PYTHON3_REMOVE_OPTIMIZED_PYC_FILES
 		xargs -0 --no-run-if-empty rm -f
 endef
 PYTHON3_TARGET_FINALIZE_HOOKS += PYTHON3_REMOVE_OPTIMIZED_PYC_FILES
+
+# uClibc without time64 support (i.e. when linux headers < 5.1) causes
+# a runtime assertion in Python. Encoding this as a dependency in Config.in
+# causes too many problems for propagating reverse dependencies. Therefore
+# instead we do a build time check.
+ifeq ($(BR_BUILDING)$(BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3)$(BR2_TOOLCHAIN_USES_UCLIBC)-$(BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HEADERS_AT_LEAST_5_1),yyy-)
+$(error Python3 doesn't work with uClibc and kernel headers < 5.1. Please use a different toolchain or unselect Python3.)
+endif