diff --git a/src/core/dbus-scope.c b/src/core/dbus-scope.c
index 2d5baab4ce..46222efcb7 100644
--- a/src/core/dbus-scope.c
+++ b/src/core/dbus-scope.c
@@ -119,6 +119,11 @@ static int bus_scope_set_transient_property(
                 const char *controller;
                 char *c;
 
+                /* We can't support direct connections with this, as direct connections know no service or unique name
+                 * concept, but the Controller field stores exactly that. */
+                if (sd_bus_message_get_bus(message) != UNIT(s)->manager->api_bus)
+                        return sd_bus_error_setf(error, SD_BUS_ERROR_NOT_SUPPORTED, "Sorry, Controller= logic only supported via the bus.");
+
                 r = sd_bus_message_read(message, "s", &controller);
                 if (r < 0)
                         return r;