diff --git a/src/isoburn.c b/src/isoburn.c
index b0619a46..3fc043d3 100644
--- a/src/isoburn.c
+++ b/src/isoburn.c
@@ -233,12 +233,19 @@ int isoburn_prepare_disc_aux(struct burn_drive *d, struct burn_disc **disc,
  struct burn_track *track;
  struct isoburn *o;
  struct ecma119_source_opts wopts;
+ enum burn_disc_status state;
  int ret;
 
  ret= isoburn_find_emulator(&o, d, 0);
  if(ret<0)
    return -1;
- 
+
+ state = isoburn_disc_get_status(drive);
+ if (state != BURN_DISC_BLANK && state != BURN_DISC_APPENDABLE) {
+   /* unsuitable status */
+   return -2;
+ }
+
  wopts.volnum = 0;
  wopts.level = opts->level;
  wopts.flags = opts->flags;
@@ -264,7 +271,12 @@ int isoburn_prepare_disc_aux(struct burn_drive *d, struct burn_disc **disc,
    int lba, nwa;
    ret = isoburn_disc_track_lba_nwa(d, NULL, 0, &lba, &nwa);
    if (ret != 1)
-     return -2;
+     return -3;
+   if (nwa == 0 && state == BURN_DISC_APPENDABLE) {
+     /* invalid nwa */
+     return -4;
+   }
+     
    wopts.ms_block = nwa;
  }