diff --git a/locator/token_metadata.cc b/locator/token_metadata.cc
index 3b0bae3426..35ed1f3399 100644
--- a/locator/token_metadata.cc
+++ b/locator/token_metadata.cc
@@ -1424,6 +1424,13 @@ const endpoint_dc_rack& topology::get_location(const inet_address& ep) const {
 
 /////////////////// class topology end /////////////////////////////////////////
 
+void shared_token_metadata::set(mutable_token_metadata_ptr tmptr) noexcept {
+    if (_shared->get_ring_version() >= tmptr->get_ring_version()) {
+        on_internal_error(tlogger, format("shared_token_metadata: must not set non-increasing version: {} -> {}", _shared->get_ring_version(), tmptr->get_ring_version()));
+    }
+    _shared = std::move(tmptr);
+}
+
 future<> shared_token_metadata::mutate_token_metadata(seastar::noncopyable_function<future<> (token_metadata&)> func) {
     auto lk = co_await get_lock();
     auto tm = co_await _shared->clone_async();
diff --git a/locator/token_metadata.hh b/locator/token_metadata.hh
index 483c4355ce..0b68b34898 100644
--- a/locator/token_metadata.hh
+++ b/locator/token_metadata.hh
@@ -379,9 +379,7 @@ public:
         return _shared;
     }
 
-    void set(mutable_token_metadata_ptr tmptr) noexcept {
-        _shared = std::move(tmptr);
-    }
+    void set(mutable_token_metadata_ptr tmptr) noexcept;
 
     // Token metadata changes are serialized
     // using the schema_tables merge_lock.