diff --git a/base/cvd/cuttlefish/host/commands/cvd/cli/commands/restart.cpp b/base/cvd/cuttlefish/host/commands/cvd/cli/commands/restart.cpp
index 48eb4fa014a..5c356f62159 100644
--- a/base/cvd/cuttlefish/host/commands/cvd/cli/commands/restart.cpp
+++ b/base/cvd/cuttlefish/host/commands/cvd/cli/commands/restart.cpp
@@ -71,10 +71,25 @@ Result<void> CvdDeviceRestartCommandHandler::Handle(
   std::vector<std::string> subcmd_args = request.SubcommandArguments();
   CF_EXPECT(ConsumeFlags(options.Flags(), subcmd_args));
 
-  auto [instance, unused] =
+  auto [instance, group] =
       CF_EXPECT(selector::SelectInstance(instance_manager_, request),
                 "Unable to select an instance");
 
+  const auto& instances = group.Instances();
+  if (!instances.empty() && instance.id() == instances[0].id()) {
+    bool other_active = false;
+    for (const auto& inst : instances) {
+      if (inst.id() != instance.id() && inst.IsActive()) {
+        other_active = true;
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+    CF_EXPECTF(!other_active,
+               "Restarting the first instance (ID: {}) is not allowed "
+               "while other instances are running. Restart the entire group instead.",
+               instance.id());
+  }
+
   CF_EXPECT(
       instance.Restart(std::chrono::seconds(options.wait_for_launcher_seconds),
                        std::chrono::seconds(options.boot_timeout_seconds)));