diff --git a/lib/doc/UserGuide.lyx b/lib/doc/UserGuide.lyx
index 9c2b429752..fd15620493 100644
--- a/lib/doc/UserGuide.lyx
+++ b/lib/doc/UserGuide.lyx
@@ -19164,6 +19164,25 @@ This is a multiline entry in a table.
 \begin_layout Standard
 Cutting and pasting between tables and table cells works reasonably well.
  You can cut and paste even more than one row.
+\begin_inset Foot
+status open
+
+\begin_layout Plain Layout
+Note, however, that you cannot paste into a multicell selection.
+ The reason is that it is simply not clear what LyX should do in this case.
+ If you select a 2x3 group of cells but paste just the word 
+\begin_inset Quotes eld
+\end_inset
+
+the
+\begin_inset Quotes erd
+\end_inset
+
+ (or a 3x5 group of cells) what should happen? 
+\end_layout
+
+\end_inset
+
  Selection with the mouse or with 
 \family sans
 Shift
diff --git a/src/Text3.cpp b/src/Text3.cpp
index be8e80feb4..ff971cb0b5 100644
--- a/src/Text3.cpp
+++ b/src/Text3.cpp
@@ -931,6 +931,7 @@ void Text::dispatch(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 
 	case LFUN_PASTE: {
 		cur.message(_("Paste"));
+		LASSERT(cur.selBegin().idx() == cur.selEnd().idx(), /**/);
 		cap::replaceSelection(cur);
 
 		// without argument?
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp b/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp
index e30af38382..22237df636 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp
@@ -3754,11 +3754,16 @@ bool InsetTabular::getStatus(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest const & cmd,
 	}
 
 	case LFUN_PASTE:
+		if (cur.selBegin().idx() != cur.selEnd().idx()) {
+			status.setEnabled(false);
+			status.message(_("You cannot paste into a multicell selection."));
+			return true;
+		}
 		if (tabularStackDirty() && theClipboard().isInternal()) {
 			status.setEnabled(true);
 			return true;
-		} else
-			return cell(cur.idx())->getStatus(cur, cmd, status);
+		} 
+		return cell(cur.idx())->getStatus(cur, cmd, status);
 
 	case LFUN_INSET_MODIFY:
 		if (insetCode(cmd.getArg(0)) == TABULAR_CODE) {