diff --git a/packages/stripe/src/index.ts b/packages/stripe/src/index.ts
index fdc60a2cd0..27a29dbb08 100644
--- a/packages/stripe/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/stripe/src/index.ts
@@ -66,6 +66,13 @@ export const stripe = <O extends StripeOptions>(options: O) => {
 			}
 			const referenceId =
 				ctx.body?.referenceId || ctx.query?.referenceId || session.user.id;
+
+			if (ctx.body?.referenceId && !options.subscription?.authorizeReference) {
+				logger.error(`Passing referenceId into a subscription action isn't allowed if subscription.authorizeReference isn't defined in your stripe plugin config.`)
+				throw new APIError("BAD_REQUEST", {
+					message: "Reference id is not allowed. Read server logs for more details.",
+				});
+			}
 			const isAuthorized = ctx.body?.referenceId
 				? await options.subscription?.authorizeReference?.({
 						user: session.user,