diff --git a/DataStructures/SearchEngine.h b/DataStructures/SearchEngine.h
index 6f9373707..ae3185753 100644
--- a/DataStructures/SearchEngine.h
+++ b/DataStructures/SearchEngine.h
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 #include "../RoutingAlgorithms/ManyToManyRouting.h"
 #include "../RoutingAlgorithms/ShortestPathRouting.h"
 
+#include <type_traits>
+
 template <class DataFacadeT> class SearchEngine
 {
   private:
@@ -48,6 +50,8 @@ template <class DataFacadeT> class SearchEngine
         : facade(facade), shortest_path(facade, engine_working_data),
           alternative_path(facade, engine_working_data), distance_table(facade, engine_working_data)
     {
+        static_assert(!std::is_pointer<DataFacadeT>(), "don't instantiate with ptr type");
+        static_assert(std::is_object<DataFacadeT>(), "don't instantiate with void, function, or reference");
     }
 
     ~SearchEngine() {}