diff --git a/Tests/test_image_filter.py b/Tests/test_image_filter.py
index cfe46b65898..a2ef2280b72 100644
--- a/Tests/test_image_filter.py
+++ b/Tests/test_image_filter.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
         ImageFilter.ModeFilter,
         ImageFilter.GaussianBlur,
         ImageFilter.GaussianBlur(5),
+        ImageFilter.BoxBlur(0),
         ImageFilter.BoxBlur(5),
         ImageFilter.UnsharpMask,
         ImageFilter.UnsharpMask(10),
@@ -173,3 +174,14 @@ def test_consistency_5x5(mode):
                 Image.merge(mode, source[: len(mode)]).filter(kernel),
                 Image.merge(mode, reference[: len(mode)]),
             )
+
+
+def test_invalid_box_blur_filter():
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        ImageFilter.BoxBlur(-2)
+
+    im = hopper()
+    box_blur_filter = ImageFilter.BoxBlur(2)
+    box_blur_filter.radius = -2
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        im.filter(box_blur_filter)
diff --git a/src/PIL/ImageFilter.py b/src/PIL/ImageFilter.py
index 59e2c18b9ac..63d6dcf5cec 100644
--- a/src/PIL/ImageFilter.py
+++ b/src/PIL/ImageFilter.py
@@ -183,6 +183,9 @@ class BoxBlur(MultibandFilter):
     name = "BoxBlur"
 
     def __init__(self, radius):
+        if radius < 0:
+            msg = "radius must be >= 0"
+            raise ValueError(msg)
         self.radius = radius
 
     def filter(self, image):
diff --git a/src/libImaging/BoxBlur.c b/src/libImaging/BoxBlur.c
index 2e45a33587c..5afe7cf5043 100644
--- a/src/libImaging/BoxBlur.c
+++ b/src/libImaging/BoxBlur.c
@@ -237,6 +237,9 @@ ImagingBoxBlur(Imaging imOut, Imaging imIn, float radius, int n) {
     if (n < 1) {
         return ImagingError_ValueError("number of passes must be greater than zero");
     }
+    if (radius < 0) {
+        return ImagingError_ValueError("radius must be >= 0");
+    }
 
     if (strcmp(imIn->mode, imOut->mode) || imIn->type != imOut->type ||
         imIn->bands != imOut->bands || imIn->xsize != imOut->xsize ||