diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/style/operator.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/style/operator.py
index 5f8696af29..f5f64143a5 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/style/operator.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/style/operator.py
@@ -379,8 +379,13 @@ class ActivateExternalStyle(bpy.types.Operator):
         else:
             material = bpy.data.materials[self.material_name]
 
+        style = tool.Ifc.get_entity(material)
+        if not style:
+            self.report({"INFO"}, "Material '{self.material_name}' is not an IFC style.")
+            return {"CANCELLED"}
+
         props = context.scene.BIMStylesProperties
-        if props.is_editing:
+        if props.is_editing_style == style.id() and props.is_editing_class == "IfcExternallyDefinedSurfaceStyle":
             location = props.external_style_attributes["Location"].string_value
             identification = props.external_style_attributes["Identification"].string_value
         else: