diff --git a/cc/check.go b/cc/check.go
index 58ff5b2ad..32d1f069e 100644
--- a/cc/check.go
+++ b/cc/check.go
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ func CheckBadCompilerFlags(ctx BaseModuleContext, prop string, flags []string) {
 				ctx.PropertyErrorf(prop, "-Weverything is not allowed in Android.bp files.  "+
 					"Build with `m ANDROID_TEMPORARILY_ALLOW_WEVERYTHING=true` to experiment locally with -Weverything.")
 			}
+		} else if strings.HasPrefix(flag, "-target") || strings.HasPrefix(flag, "--target") {
+			ctx.PropertyErrorf(prop, "Bad flag: `%s`, use the correct target soong rule.", flag)
 		} else if strings.Contains(flag, " ") {
 			args := strings.Split(flag, " ")
 			if args[0] == "-include" {