diff --git a/visidata/metasheets.py b/visidata/metasheets.py
index bf833d7c4..1887e9648 100644
--- a/visidata/metasheets.py
+++ b/visidata/metasheets.py
@@ -131,6 +131,9 @@ def reload(self):
             self.addRow(opt)
         self.columns[2].name = 'global_value' if self.source == 'global' else 'sheet_value'
 
+    def newRow(self):
+        vd.fail('adding rows to the options sheet is not supported.')
+
 
 vd._lastInputs = collections.defaultdict(dict)  # [input_type] -> {'input': anything}