diff --git a/django/db/models/lookups.py b/django/db/models/lookups.py
index 045f7d194f..888d62793f 100644
--- a/django/db/models/lookups.py
+++ b/django/db/models/lookups.py
@@ -203,6 +203,13 @@ class In(BuiltinLookup):
     lookup_name = 'in'
 
     def process_rhs(self, compiler, connection):
+        db_rhs = getattr(self.rhs, '_db', None)
+        if db_rhs is not None and db_rhs != connection.alias:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Subqueries aren't allowed across different databases. Force "
+                "the inner query to be evaluated using `list(inner_query)`."
+            )
+
         if self.rhs_is_direct_value():
             try:
                 rhs = set(self.rhs)
diff --git a/tests/lookup/tests.py b/tests/lookup/tests.py
index 557d0895e7..aba6588ac8 100644
--- a/tests/lookup/tests.py
+++ b/tests/lookup/tests.py
@@ -498,6 +498,14 @@ class LookupTests(TestCase):
             ]
         )
 
+    def test_in_different_database(self):
+        with self.assertRaisesMessage(
+            ValueError,
+            "Subqueries aren't allowed across different databases. Force the "
+            "inner query to be evaluated using `list(inner_query)`."
+        ):
+            list(Article.objects.filter(id__in=Article.objects.using('other').all()))
+
     def test_error_messages(self):
         # Programming errors are pointed out with nice error messages
         with self.assertRaisesMessage(