diff --git a/src/util/virutil.h b/src/util/virutil.h
index 535807c4f7..b121de0997 100644
--- a/src/util/virutil.h
+++ b/src/util/virutil.h
@@ -236,10 +236,15 @@ typedef enum {
     VIR_TRISTATE_SWITCH_LAST
 } virTristateSwitch;
 
-
 VIR_ENUM_DECL(virTristateBool)
 VIR_ENUM_DECL(virTristateSwitch)
 
+/* the two enums must be in sync to be able to use helpers interchangeably in
+ * some special cases */
+verify((int)VIR_TRISTATE_BOOL_YES == (int)VIR_TRISTATE_SWITCH_ON);
+verify((int)VIR_TRISTATE_BOOL_NO == (int)VIR_TRISTATE_SWITCH_OFF);
+verify((int)VIR_TRISTATE_BOOL_ABSENT == (int)VIR_TRISTATE_SWITCH_ABSENT);
+
 unsigned int virGetListenFDs(void);
 
 long virGetSystemPageSize(void);