diff --git a/include/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_acct.h b/include/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_acct.h
index 03e218f0be4..4e9c63a20db 100644
--- a/include/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_acct.h
+++ b/include/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_acct.h
@@ -45,6 +45,18 @@ struct nf_conn_counter *nf_ct_acct_ext_add(struct nf_conn *ct, gfp_t gfp)
 extern unsigned int
 seq_print_acct(struct seq_file *s, const struct nf_conn *ct, int dir);
 
+/* Check if connection tracking accounting is enabled */
+static inline bool nf_ct_acct_enabled(struct net *net)
+{
+	return net->ct.sysctl_acct != 0;
+}
+
+/* Enable/disable connection tracking accounting */
+static inline void nf_ct_set_acct(struct net *net, bool enable)
+{
+	net->ct.sysctl_acct = enable;
+}
+
 extern int nf_conntrack_acct_init(struct net *net);
 extern void nf_conntrack_acct_fini(struct net *net);
 
diff --git a/net/netfilter/xt_connbytes.c b/net/netfilter/xt_connbytes.c
index 73517835303..5b138506690 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/xt_connbytes.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/xt_connbytes.c
@@ -112,6 +112,16 @@ static int connbytes_mt_check(const struct xt_mtchk_param *par)
 	if (ret < 0)
 		pr_info("cannot load conntrack support for proto=%u\n",
 			par->family);
+
+	/*
+	 * This filter cannot function correctly unless connection tracking
+	 * accounting is enabled, so complain in the hope that someone notices.
+	 */
+	if (!nf_ct_acct_enabled(par->net)) {
+		pr_warning("Forcing CT accounting to be enabled\n");
+		nf_ct_set_acct(par->net, true);
+	}
+
 	return ret;
 }