diff --git a/Examples/Channel.py b/Examples/Channel.py
index 4f1bd2c..f64e427 100644
--- a/Examples/Channel.py
+++ b/Examples/Channel.py
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ class StringMessage(RNS.MessageBase):
     # message arrives over the channel.
     #
     # MSGTYPE must be unique across all message types we
-    # register with the channel
+    # register with the channel. MSGTYPEs >= 0xff00 are
+    # reserved for the system.
     MSGTYPE = 0x0101
 
     # The constructor of our object must be callable with
diff --git a/RNS/Channel.py b/RNS/Channel.py
index 0b023be..31aaf94 100644
--- a/RNS/Channel.py
+++ b/RNS/Channel.py
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ class Channel(contextlib.AbstractContextManager):
         self.shutdown()
         return False
 
-    def register_message_type(self, message_class: Type[MessageBase]):
+    def register_message_type(self, message_class: Type[MessageBase], *, is_system_type: bool = False):
         with self._lock:
             if not issubclass(message_class, MessageBase):
                 raise ChannelException(CEType.ME_INVALID_MSG_TYPE,
@@ -157,6 +157,9 @@ class Channel(contextlib.AbstractContextManager):
             if message_class.MSGTYPE is None:
                 raise ChannelException(CEType.ME_INVALID_MSG_TYPE,
                                        f"{message_class} has invalid MSGTYPE class attribute.")
+            if message_class.MSGTYPE >= 0xff00 and not is_system_type:
+                raise ChannelException(CEType.ME_INVALID_MSG_TYPE,
+                                       f"{message_class} has system-reserved message type.")
             try:
                 message_class()
             except Exception as ex:
diff --git a/tests/channel.py b/tests/channel.py
index c9a64b3..03e3bd9 100644
--- a/tests/channel.py
+++ b/tests/channel.py
@@ -137,6 +137,16 @@ class MessageTest(MessageBase):
         self.id, self.data = umsgpack.unpackb(raw)
 
 
+class SystemMessage(MessageBase):
+    MSGTYPE = 0xffff
+
+    def pack(self) -> bytes:
+        return bytes()
+
+    def unpack(self, raw):
+        pass
+
+
 class ProtocolHarness(contextlib.AbstractContextManager):
     def __init__(self, rtt: float):
         self.outlet = ChannelOutletTest(mdu=500, rtt=rtt)
@@ -280,6 +290,11 @@ class TestChannel(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(2, handler1_called)
         self.assertEqual(1, handler2_called)
 
+    def test_system_message_check(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(RNS.Channel.ChannelException):
+            self.h.channel.register_message_type(SystemMessage)
+        self.h.channel.register_message_type(SystemMessage, is_system_type=True)
+
 
     def eat_own_dog_food(self, message: MessageBase, checker: typing.Callable[[MessageBase], None]):
         decoded: [MessageBase] = []
@@ -287,6 +302,7 @@ class TestChannel(unittest.TestCase):
         def handle_message(message: MessageBase):
             decoded.append(message)
 
+        self.h.channel.register_message_type(message.__class__)
         self.h.channel.add_message_handler(handle_message)
         self.assertEqual(len(self.h.outlet.packets), 0)