diff --git a/src/systemc/SConscript b/src/systemc/SConscript
index d3ead8c1b9..694ee56b34 100644
--- a/src/systemc/SConscript
+++ b/src/systemc/SConscript
@@ -27,5 +27,15 @@
 
 Import('*')
 
+from m5.util import compareVersions
+from m5.util.terminal import termcap
+
 if env['USE_SYSTEMC']:
+    if compareVersions(env['GCC_VERSION'], '5.0') < 0:
+        print(termcap.Yellow + termcap.Bold +
+                'Warning: Disabling systemc on gcc versions less than 5.0.' +
+                termcap.Normal)
+        env['USE_SYSTEMC'] = False
+        Return()
+
     env.Append(CPPPATH=Dir('ext'))