diff --git a/neo/rawio/spikegadgetsrawio.py b/neo/rawio/spikegadgetsrawio.py
index 365d784e3..950440d6f 100644
--- a/neo/rawio/spikegadgetsrawio.py
+++ b/neo/rawio/spikegadgetsrawio.py
@@ -143,6 +143,10 @@ def _parse_header(self):
         # as spikegadgets change we should follow this
         try:
             num_chan_per_chip = int(sconf.attrib["chanPerChip"])
+            if num_chan_per_chip <= 0:  # invalid value
+                raise KeyError
+            if num_chan_per_chip > 100000:  # abnormal large value
+                raise KeyError
         except KeyError:
             num_chan_per_chip = 32  # default value for Intan chips