diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5a2dd7e3..12247227 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -999,6 +999,10 @@ GitLabHQ releases new versions on the 22nd of every month, bugfix releases immed
 
 To upgrade to newer gitlab releases, simply follow this 4 step upgrade procedure.
 
+> **Note**
+>
+> Upgrading to `sameersbn/gitlab:8.3.2` from `sameersbn/gitlab:7.x.x` can cause issues. It is therefore required that you first upgrade to `sameersbn/gitlab:8.0.5-1` before upgrading to `sameersbn/gitlab:8.1.0` or higher.
+
 - **Step 1**: Update the docker image.
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/assets/runtime/functions b/assets/runtime/functions
index 8e2aa39f..f47ad315 100644
--- a/assets/runtime/functions
+++ b/assets/runtime/functions
@@ -1103,6 +1103,19 @@ migrate_database() {
       return 1
     fi
 
+    if [[ $(vercmp ${GITLAB_VERSION} 8.0.0) -gt 0 ]]; then
+      if [[ $(vercmp ${CACHE_VERSION} 8.0.0) -lt 0 ]]; then
+        echo
+        echo "ABORT: "
+        echo "  Upgrading to GitLab ${GITLAB_VERSION} from ${CACHE_VERSION} is not recommended."
+        echo "  Please upgrade to version 8.0.5-1 before upgrading to 8.1.0 or higher."
+        echo "  Refer to https://git.io/vur4j for CI migration instructions."
+        echo "  Aborting for your own safety!"
+        echo
+        return 1
+      fi
+    fi
+
     echo "Migrating database..."
     exec_as_git bundle exec rake db:migrate >/dev/null
     exec_as_git echo "${GITLAB_VERSION}" > ${GITLAB_DATA_DIR}/tmp/VERSION