diff --git a/freqtrade/maintenance_margin.py b/freqtrade/maintenance_margin.py
index 8fa5cf58a..7e198b9ed 100644
--- a/freqtrade/maintenance_margin.py
+++ b/freqtrade/maintenance_margin.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-from freqtrade.enums import LiqFormula
+from freqtrade.enums import LiqFormula, TradingMode
+from freqtrade.exceptions import OperationalException
 from freqtrade.persistence import Trade
 
 
@@ -13,9 +14,14 @@ class MaintenanceMargin:
 
     @property
     def liq_level(self):    # This may be a constant value and may not need a function
-        return
+        return              # If constant, would need to be recalculated after each new trade
 
-    def __init__(self, formula: LiqFormula):
+    def __init__(self, formula: LiqFormula, trading_mode: TradingMode):
+        if (
+            trading_mode != TradingMode.CROSS_MARGIN or
+            trading_mode != TradingMode.CROSS_FUTURES
+        ):
+            raise OperationalException("Maintenance margin should only be used for cross trading")
         return
 
     def add_new_trade(self, trade):