diff --git a/dingo/PolytopeSampler.py b/dingo/PolytopeSampler.py
index 27f3785..594838b 100644
--- a/dingo/PolytopeSampler.py
+++ b/dingo/PolytopeSampler.py
@@ -138,6 +138,9 @@ def generate_steady_states(
         """
 
         self.get_polytope()
+        
+        if ess < 10:
+            raise ValueError(f"Effective sample size (ess) must be at least 10 to avoid numerical instability. Got {ess}.")
 
         P = HPolytope(self._A, self._b)