diff --git a/modules/core/m_server.c b/modules/core/m_server.c
index 129d4664..e79d5ee1 100644
--- a/modules/core/m_server.c
+++ b/modules/core/m_server.c
@@ -184,6 +184,15 @@ mr_server(struct Client *client_p, struct Client *source_p, int parc, const char
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+	/* require TS6 for direct links */
+	if(!IsCapable(client_p, CAP_TS6))
+	{
+		sendto_realops_snomask(SNO_GENERAL, is_remote_connect(client_p) ? L_NETWIDE : L_ALL,
+					"Link %s dropped, TS6 protocol is required", name);
+		exit_client(client_p, client_p, client_p, "Incompatible TS version");
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	if((target_p = find_server(NULL, name)))
 	{
 		/*