diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/ingest_manager/server/services/epm/registry/registry_url.ts b/x-pack/plugins/ingest_manager/server/services/epm/registry/registry_url.ts
index 7d00a026bf24f4..47c91218089883 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/ingest_manager/server/services/epm/registry/registry_url.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/ingest_manager/server/services/epm/registry/registry_url.ts
@@ -20,5 +20,9 @@ export const getRegistryUrl = (): string => {
     return customUrl;
   }
 
+  if (customUrl) {
+    appContextService.getLogger().warn('Gold license is required to use a custom registry url.');
+  }
+
   return DEFAULT_REGISTRY_URL;
 };