diff --git a/sat/core/sat_main.py b/sat/core/sat_main.py
index 055b03bd..6066528f 100644
--- a/sat/core/sat_main.py
+++ b/sat/core/sat_main.py
@@ -330,6 +330,12 @@ class SAT(service.Service):
             plugin_modes = plugin_info["modes"] = set(
                 plugin_info.setdefault("modes", C.PLUG_MODE_DEFAULT)
             )
+            if not plugin_modes.intersection(C.PLUG_MODE_BOTH):
+                log.error(
+                    f"Can't import plugin at {plugin_path}, invalid {C.PI_MODES!r} "
+                    f"value: {plugin_modes!r}"
+                )
+                continue
 
             # if the plugin is an entry point, it must work in component mode
             if plugin_info["type"] == C.PLUG_TYPE_ENTRY_POINT: