diff --git a/gas/ChangeLog b/gas/ChangeLog
index 3c16db74e1..cc1993f6f3 100644
--- a/gas/ChangeLog
+++ b/gas/ChangeLog
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 1999-11-03  Ian Lance Taylor  <ian@zembu.com>
 
+	* read.c (pseudo_set): Reject attempts to set the value of a
+	section symbol.
+
 	* config/obj-elf.c (obj_elf_ident): Call md_flush_pending_output
 	if it is defined.
 
diff --git a/gas/read.c b/gas/read.c
index 886c028fdb..b64203b595 100644
--- a/gas/read.c
+++ b/gas/read.c
@@ -3163,6 +3163,8 @@ pseudo_set (symbolP)
       if (S_GET_SEGMENT (exp.X_add_symbol) == undefined_section
 	  || exp.X_add_number != 0)
 	symbol_set_value_expression (symbolP, &exp);
+      else if (symbol_section_p (symbolP))
+	as_bad ("invalid attempt to set value of section symbol");
       else
 	{
 	  symbolS *s = exp.X_add_symbol;