diff --git a/nengo_loihi/splitter.py b/nengo_loihi/splitter.py
index d7b816b4d..93aa74f5e 100644
--- a/nengo_loihi/splitter.py
+++ b/nengo_loihi/splitter.py
@@ -40,10 +40,18 @@ def __init__(self, network, precompute=False, remove_passthrough=True):
             if (conn.learning_rule_type is not None
                     and isinstance(post, Ensemble)
                     and post in self._chip_objects):
+                if network.config[post].on_chip:
+                    raise BuildError("Post ensemble (%r) of learned "
+                                     "connection (%r) must not be configured "
+                                     "as on_chip." % (post, conn))
                 self._chip_objects.remove(post)
             elif (isinstance(post, LearningRule)
                   and isinstance(pre, Ensemble)
                   and pre in self._chip_objects):
+                if network.config[pre].on_chip:
+                    raise BuildError("Pre ensemble (%r) of error "
+                                     "connection (%r) must not be configured "
+                                     "as on_chip." % (pre, conn))
                 self._chip_objects.remove(pre)
 
         # Step 4. Mark passthrough nodes for removal
diff --git a/nengo_loihi/tests/test_splitter.py b/nengo_loihi/tests/test_splitter.py
index 456b15190..fa66ef823 100644
--- a/nengo_loihi/tests/test_splitter.py
+++ b/nengo_loihi/tests/test_splitter.py
@@ -216,6 +216,34 @@ def test_split_precompute_loop_error():
         SplitterDirective(net, precompute=True)
 
 
+def test_chip_learning_errors():
+    with nengo.Network() as net:
+        add_params(net)
+
+        a = nengo.Ensemble(100, 1)
+        b = nengo.Ensemble(100, 1)
+        net.config[b].on_chip = True
+
+        nengo.Connection(a, b, learning_rule_type=nengo.PES())
+
+    with pytest.raises(BuildError, match="Post ensemble"):
+        SplitterDirective(net)
+
+    with nengo.Network() as net:
+        add_params(net)
+
+        a = nengo.Ensemble(100, 1)
+        b = nengo.Ensemble(100, 1)
+        error = nengo.Ensemble(100, 1)
+        net.config[error].on_chip = True
+
+        conn = nengo.Connection(a, b, learning_rule_type=nengo.PES())
+        nengo.Connection(error, conn.learning_rule)
+
+    with pytest.raises(BuildError, match="Pre ensemble"):
+        SplitterDirective(net)
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("remove_passthrough", [True, False])
 def test_split_remove_passthrough(remove_passthrough):
     with nengo.Network() as net: