diff --git a/samples/bluetooth/hci_pwr_ctrl/src/main.c b/samples/bluetooth/hci_pwr_ctrl/src/main.c
index 7595326bd13..13794328489 100644
--- a/samples/bluetooth/hci_pwr_ctrl/src/main.c
+++ b/samples/bluetooth/hci_pwr_ctrl/src/main.c
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@
 #include <zephyr/bluetooth/gatt.h>
 #include <zephyr/bluetooth/services/hrs.h>
 
+BUILD_ASSERT(IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_BT_HAS_HCI_VS),
+	     "This app requires Zephyr-specific HCI vendor extensions");
+
 static struct bt_conn *default_conn;
 static uint16_t default_conn_handle;
 
diff --git a/samples/bluetooth/hci_vs_scan_req/src/main.c b/samples/bluetooth/hci_vs_scan_req/src/main.c
index d43ae8b1034..6e1c4cb6b77 100644
--- a/samples/bluetooth/hci_vs_scan_req/src/main.c
+++ b/samples/bluetooth/hci_vs_scan_req/src/main.c
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@
 #include <zephyr/bluetooth/hci_vs.h>
 #include <zephyr/bluetooth/addr.h>
 
+BUILD_ASSERT(IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_BT_HAS_HCI_VS),
+	     "This app requires Zephyr-specific HCI vendor extensions");
+
 #define DEVICE_NAME CONFIG_BT_DEVICE_NAME
 #define DEVICE_NAME_LENGTH (sizeof(DEVICE_NAME) - 1)