diff --git a/static/js/settings_data.ts b/static/js/settings_data.ts
index 44ab565837..72f4e4f71b 100644
--- a/static/js/settings_data.ts
+++ b/static/js/settings_data.ts
@@ -148,6 +148,11 @@ function user_has_permission(policy_value: number): boolean {
         return true;
     }
 
+    if (policy_value !== settings_config.common_policy_values.by_full_members.code) {
+        throw new Error("Unexpected policy value.");
+    }
+
+    /* We know the user is a member, but need to check if they are a "Full member". */
     const current_datetime = new Date();
     const person_date_joined = new Date(user_join_date);
     const user_join_days =