diff --git a/public/course/format/classes/output/local/content.php b/public/course/format/classes/output/local/content.php
index 423d6a94884..800022e287e 100644
--- a/public/course/format/classes/output/local/content.php
+++ b/public/course/format/classes/output/local/content.php
@@ -151,6 +151,18 @@ class content implements named_templatable, renderable {
 
         $format = $this->format;
         $course = $format->get_course();
+
+        if (!$format->uses_sections()) {
+            if (has_capability('moodle/course:update', \core\context\course::instance($course->id))) {
+                $url = new \moodle_url('/course/edit.php', ['id' => $course->id]);
+                $params = [
+                    'courseformat' => $format->get_format_name(),
+                ];
+                throw new \moodle_exception('nosections_editor', 'error', $url, $params);
+            }
+            throw new \moodle_exception('nosections_noneditor', 'error');
+        }
+
         $modinfo = $this->format->get_modinfo();
 
         // Generate section list.
diff --git a/public/lang/en/error.php b/public/lang/en/error.php
index 137a924c045..78bab35f806 100644
--- a/public/lang/en/error.php
+++ b/public/lang/en/error.php
@@ -480,6 +480,9 @@ $string['nopermissiontoviewcalendar'] = 'Sorry, but you do not have permission t
 $string['nopermissiontoviewgrades'] = 'Cannot view grades.';
 $string['nopermissiontoviewletergrade'] = 'Missing permission to view letter grades';
 $string['nopermissiontoviewpage'] = 'You are not allowed to look at this page';
+$string['nosections_editor'] = 'The course can\'t be displayed because the current course format \'{$a->courseformat}\' is not compatible with the way the course content is organised.
+To display the course correctly, choose a different course format. Use the \'Continue\' button to go to course format settings.';
+$string['nosections_noneditor'] = 'This course is not available right now. Contact your teacher or instructor for help.';
 $string['nosite'] = 'Could not find a top-level course!';
 $string['nositeid'] = 'No site ID';
 $string['nostartdatenoenddate'] = 'A course end date can only be set if a start date is also set.';