diff --git a/numpy_ringbuffer/__init__.py b/numpy_ringbuffer/__init__.py
index 95a5130..b188a35 100644
--- a/numpy_ringbuffer/__init__.py
+++ b/numpy_ringbuffer/__init__.py
@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ def is_full(self):
 		return len(self) == self._capacity
 
 	# numpy compatibility
-	def __array__(self):
+	def __array__(self, copy=True):
+		if not copy:
+			raise ValueError("Cannot create a numpy array without copying. Pass copy=True.")
 		return self._unwrap()
 
 	@property