diff --git a/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/wrapper.nix b/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/wrapper.nix
index d2e7c59faff..38d59648032 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/wrapper.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/wrapper.nix
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ let
 
       plugins =
         assert !(jre && icedtea);
+        if builtins.hasAttr "enableVLC" cfg
+        then throw "The option \"${browserName}.enableVLC\" has been removed since Firefox no longer supports npapi plugins"
+        else
         ([ ]
           ++ lib.optional enableAdobeFlash flashplayer
           ++ lib.optional (cfg.enableDjvu or false) (djview4)