diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/command.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/command.py
index 3788207122..84fcdf9433 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/command.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/command.py
@@ -264,6 +264,10 @@ class CommandsSync:
         features = params[0]
         command.cooker.setFeatures(features)
 
+    # although we change the internal state of the cooker, this is transparent since
+    # we always take and leave the cooker in state.initial
+    setFeatures.readonly = True
+
 class CommandsAsync:
     """
     A class of asynchronous commands
diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
index e6916a621b..f41f5946ae 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
@@ -159,6 +159,9 @@ class BBCooker:
         self.state = state.forceshutdown
 
     def setFeatures(self, features):
+        # we only accept a new feature set if we're in state initial, so we can reset without problems
+        if self.state != state.initial:
+            raise Exception("Illegal state for feature set change")
         original_featureset = list(self.featureset)
         for feature in features:
             self.featureset.setFeature(feature)
diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/server/xmlrpc.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/server/xmlrpc.py
index bf867b584b..5dcaa6c7b0 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/server/xmlrpc.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/server/xmlrpc.py
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ class BitBakeXMLRPCServerConnection(BitBakeBaseServerConnection):
 
         _, error = self.connection.runCommand(["setFeatures", self.featureset])
         if error:
-            logger.error("Unable to set the cooker to the correct featureset: %s" % error)
+            # no need to log it here, the error shall be sent to the client
             raise BaseException(error)
 
         return self