diff --git a/data/core.yaml b/data/core.yaml
index e79858986..dd002bfa0 100644
--- a/data/core.yaml
+++ b/data/core.yaml
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ en:
         relation: Deleted a relation.
         multiple: "Deleted {n} objects."
       incomplete_relation: This feature can't be deleted because it hasn't been fully downloaded.
+      part_of_relation: This feature can't be deleted because it's part of a larger relation. You must remove it from the relation first.
       connected_to_hidden: This can't be deleted because it is connected to a hidden feature.
     add_member:
       annotation: Added a member to a relation.
diff --git a/dist/locales/en.json b/dist/locales/en.json
index 55064aa44..6ea44af14 100644
--- a/dist/locales/en.json
+++ b/dist/locales/en.json
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@
                 "multiple": "Deleted {n} objects."
             },
             "incomplete_relation": "This feature can't be deleted because it hasn't been fully downloaded.",
+            "part_of_relation": "This feature can't be deleted because it's part of a larger relation. You must remove it from the relation first.",
             "connected_to_hidden": "This can't be deleted because it is connected to a hidden feature."
         },
         "add_member": {
diff --git a/js/id/actions/delete_way.js b/js/id/actions/delete_way.js
index c87b31011..19f0d669e 100644
--- a/js/id/actions/delete_way.js
+++ b/js/id/actions/delete_way.js
@@ -31,8 +31,17 @@ iD.actions.DeleteWay = function(wayId) {
         return graph.remove(way);
     };
 
-    action.disabled = function() {
-        return false;
+    action.disabled = function(graph) {
+        var way = graph.entity(wayId);
+        var reltypes = ['route','boundary'];
+        var disabled = false;
+        graph.parentRelations(way)
+            .forEach(function(parent) {
+                if (reltypes.indexOf(parent.tags.type)>-1) {
+                    disabled = 'part_of_relation';
+                }
+            });
+        return disabled;
     };
 
     return action;