diff --git a/prism/src/prism/Prism.java b/prism/src/prism/Prism.java
index 423cfd08..3776d1ef 100644
--- a/prism/src/prism/Prism.java
+++ b/prism/src/prism/Prism.java
@@ -2953,6 +2953,17 @@ public class Prism extends PrismComponent implements PrismSettingsListener
 							+ "Either switch to the explicit engine or add more action labels to the model");
 			}
 
+			if (!getExplicit() && !engineSwitch) {
+				// check if we need to switch to MTBDD engine
+				long n = currentModel.getNumStates();
+				if (n == -1 || n > Integer.MAX_VALUE) {
+					mainLog.printWarning("Switching to MTBDD engine, as number of states is too large for " + engineStrings[getEngine()] + " engine.");
+					engineSwitch = true;
+					lastEngine = getEngine();
+					setEngine(Prism.MTBDD);
+				}
+			}
+
 			// Create new model checker object and do model checking
 			if (!getExplicit()) {
 				ModelChecker mc = createModelChecker(propertiesFile);