diff --git a/mkspecs/features/qt_functions.prf b/mkspecs/features/qt_functions.prf
index bbbb5d36a30..20074445b3e 100644
--- a/mkspecs/features/qt_functions.prf
+++ b/mkspecs/features/qt_functions.prf
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ defineTest(qtAddModule) {
     MODULE_CONFIG = $$eval(QT.$${1}.module_config)
     MODULE_MAJOR_VERSION = $$eval(QT.$${1}.MAJOR_VERSION)
 
+    isEmpty(MODULE_INCLUDES):!if(auto_use_privates|isEqual(2, UsePrivate)): \
+        error("Module $$1 has no public API.")
+
     qtProcessModuleFlags(CONFIG, QT.$${1}.CONFIG)
     qtProcessModuleFlags(DEFINES, QT.$${1}.DEFINES)