diff --git a/coders/bmp.c b/coders/bmp.c
index d3392a7cb..e84112256 100644
--- a/coders/bmp.c
+++ b/coders/bmp.c
@@ -669,6 +669,8 @@ static Image *ReadBMPImage(const ImageInfo *image_info,ExceptionInfo *exception)
         /*
           Microsoft Windows BMP image file.
         */
+        if (bmp_info.size < 40)
+          ThrowReaderException(CorruptImageError,"ImproperImageHeader");
         bmp_info.width=(ssize_t) ReadBlobLSBSignedLong(image);
         bmp_info.height=(ssize_t) ReadBlobLSBSignedLong(image);
         bmp_info.planes=ReadBlobLSBShort(image);