diff --git a/java/base.go b/java/base.go
index 7cd71a2..8d5fe13 100644
--- a/java/base.go
+++ b/java/base.go
@@ -1936,6 +1936,9 @@
 				sm := module.(SystemModulesProvider)
 				outputDir, outputDeps := sm.OutputDirAndDeps()
 				deps.systemModules = &systemModules{outputDir, outputDeps}
+
+			case instrumentationForTag:
+				ctx.PropertyErrorf("instrumentation_for", "dependency %q of type %q does not provide JavaInfo so is unsuitable for use with this property", ctx.OtherModuleName(module), ctx.OtherModuleType(module))
 			}
 		}