diff --git a/python/fbprophet/diagnostics.py b/python/fbprophet/diagnostics.py
index 62c5ce1..6e83a7c 100644
--- a/python/fbprophet/diagnostics.py
+++ b/python/fbprophet/diagnostics.py
@@ -140,6 +140,13 @@ def cross_validation(model, horizon, period=None, initial=None, parallel=None, c
         # Compute Cutoffs
         cutoffs = generate_cutoffs(df, horizon, initial, period)
     else:
+        # add validation of the cutoff to make sure that the min cutoff is strictly greater than the min date in the history
+        if min(cutoffs) <= df['ds'].min(): 
+            raise ValueError("Minimum cutoff value is not strictly greater than min date in history")
+        # max value of cutoffs is <= (end date minus horizon)
+        end_date_minus_horizon = df['ds'].max() - horizon 
+        if max(cutoffs) > end_date_minus_horizon: 
+            raise ValueError("Maximum cutoff value is greater than end date minus horizon, no value for cross-validation remaining")
         initial = cutoffs[0] - df['ds'].min()
         
     # Check if the initial window