diff --git a/doc/management.txt b/doc/management.txt
index f83afbe03..7a7c84869 100644
--- a/doc/management.txt
+++ b/doc/management.txt
@@ -2128,7 +2128,8 @@ del backend <name>
   Removes the backend proxy with the name <name>.
 
   This operation is only possible for TCP or HTTP proxies. To succeed, the
-  backend instance must have been first unpublished.
+  backend instance must have been first unpublished. Also, all of its servers
+  must first be removed (via "del server" CLI).
 
   There is additional restrictions which prevent backend removal. First, a
   backend cannot be removed if it is explicitely referenced by config elements,
diff --git a/src/proxy.c b/src/proxy.c
index 1e5a168b2..b70c70b00 100644
--- a/src/proxy.c
+++ b/src/proxy.c
@@ -5048,6 +5048,11 @@ int be_check_for_deletion(const char *bename, struct proxy **pb, const char **pm
 		goto out;
 	}
 
+	if (be->srv) {
+		msg = "Only a backend without server can be deleted.";
+		goto out;
+	}
+
 	/* Second, conditions that may change over time */
 	ret = 0;