diff --git a/modules/shared.py b/modules/shared.py
index aafe31de..4e229353 100644
--- a/modules/shared.py
+++ b/modules/shared.py
@@ -334,6 +334,7 @@ options_templates.update(options_section(('saving-images', "Saving images/grids"
     "export_for_4chan": OptionInfo(True, "If the saved image file size is above the limit, or its either width or height are above the limit, save a downscaled copy as JPG"),
     "img_downscale_threshold": OptionInfo(4.0, "File size limit for the above option, MB", gr.Number),
     "target_side_length": OptionInfo(4000, "Width/height limit for the above option, in pixels", gr.Number),
+    "img_max_size_mp": OptionInfo(200, "Maximum image size, in megapixels", gr.Number),
 
     "use_original_name_batch": OptionInfo(True, "Use original name for output filename during batch process in extras tab"),
     "use_upscaler_name_as_suffix": OptionInfo(False, "Use upscaler name as filename suffix in the extras tab"),
diff --git a/scripts/xyz_grid.py b/scripts/xyz_grid.py
index 87e33d79..84c73e28 100644
--- a/scripts/xyz_grid.py
+++ b/scripts/xyz_grid.py
@@ -499,6 +499,11 @@ class Script(scripts.Script):
         z_opt = self.current_axis_options[z_type]
         zs = process_axis(z_opt, z_values)
 
+        # this could be moved to common code, but unlikely to be ever triggered anywhere else
+        Image.MAX_IMAGE_PIXELS = opts.img_max_size_mp * 1.1 # allow 10% overhead for margins and legend
+        grid_mp = round(len(xs) * len(ys) * len(zs) * p.width * p.height / 1000000)
+        assert grid_mp < opts.img_max_size_mp, f'Error: Resulting grid would be too large ({grid_mp} MPixels) (max configured size is {opts.img_max_size_mp} MPixels)'
+
         def fix_axis_seeds(axis_opt, axis_list):
             if axis_opt.label in ['Seed', 'Var. seed']:
                 return [int(random.randrange(4294967294)) if val is None or val == '' or val == -1 else val for val in axis_list]