diff --git a/isisd/isis_circuit.c b/isisd/isis_circuit.c
index 2ef43cc..6ecaca6 100644
--- a/isisd/isis_circuit.c
+++ b/isisd/isis_circuit.c
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@
   circuit->area = area;
 
   /*
-   * The level for the circuit is same as for the area, unless configured
-   * otherwise.
+   * Whenever the is-type of an area is changed, the is-type of each circuit
+   * in that area is updated to a non-empty subset of the area is-type.
+   * Inversely, when configuring a new circuit, this property should be
+   * ensured as well.
    */
-  if (area->is_type != IS_LEVEL_1_AND_2 && area->is_type != circuit->is_type)
-    zlog_warn ("circut %s is_type %d mismatch with area %s is_type %d",
-               circuit->interface->name, circuit->is_type,
-               circuit->area->area_tag, area->is_type);
+  if (area->is_type != IS_LEVEL_1_AND_2)
+    circuit->is_type = area->is_type;
 
   /*
    * Add the circuit into area
diff --git a/isisd/isis_pdu.c b/isisd/isis_pdu.c
index d63a8a6..26efe4d 100644
--- a/isisd/isis_pdu.c
+++ b/isisd/isis_pdu.c
@@ -2446,6 +2446,13 @@
   assert (circuit);
   circuit->u.bc.t_send_lan_hello[0] = NULL;
 
+  if (!(circuit->area->is_type & IS_LEVEL_1))
+    {
+      zlog_warn ("ISIS-Hello (%s): Trying to send L1 IIH in L2-only area",
+		 circuit->area->area_tag);
+      return 1;
+    }
+
   if (circuit->u.bc.run_dr_elect[0])
     retval = isis_dr_elect (circuit, 1);
 
@@ -2469,6 +2476,13 @@
   assert (circuit);
   circuit->u.bc.t_send_lan_hello[1] = NULL;
 
+  if (!(circuit->area->is_type & IS_LEVEL_2))
+    {
+      zlog_warn ("ISIS-Hello (%s): Trying to send L2 IIH in L1 area",
+		 circuit->area->area_tag);
+      return 1;
+    }
+
   if (circuit->u.bc.run_dr_elect[1])
     retval = isis_dr_elect (circuit, 2);