diff --git a/src/nix/registry.cc b/src/nix/registry.cc
index 6a92576c7..c496f94f8 100644
--- a/src/nix/registry.cc
+++ b/src/nix/registry.cc
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ struct CmdRegistry : virtual NixMultiCommand
 
     void run() override
     {
+        settings.requireExperimentalFeature(Xp::Flakes);
         if (!command)
             throw UsageError("'nix registry' requires a sub-command.");
         command->second->prepare();