diff --git a/compiler/rustc_middle/src/middle/privacy.rs b/compiler/rustc_middle/src/middle/privacy.rs
index 3d7a379c56c..11fbefefcc9 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_middle/src/middle/privacy.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_middle/src/middle/privacy.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 //! A pass that checks to make sure private fields and methods aren't used
 //! outside their scopes. This pass will also generate a set of exported items
 //! which are available for use externally when compiled as a library.
-use crate::ty::{DefIdTree, Visibility};
+use crate::ty::{DefIdTree, TyCtxt, Visibility};
 use rustc_data_structures::fx::FxHashMap;
 use rustc_data_structures::stable_hasher::{HashStable, StableHasher};
+use rustc_hir::def::DefKind;
 use rustc_macros::HashStable;
 use rustc_query_system::ich::StableHashingContext;
 use rustc_span::def_id::LocalDefId;
@@ -133,6 +134,54 @@ impl EffectiveVisibilities {
         }
         self.map.insert(id, effective_vis);
     }
+
+    pub fn check_invariants(&self, tcx: TyCtxt<'_>, early: bool) {
+        if !cfg!(debug_assertions) {
+            return;
+        }
+        for (&def_id, ev) in &self.map {
+            // More direct visibility levels can never go farther than less direct ones,
+            // neither of effective visibilities can go farther than nominal visibility,
+            // and all effective visibilities are larger or equal than private visibility.
+            let private_vis = Visibility::Restricted(tcx.parent_module_from_def_id(def_id));
+            let span = tcx.def_span(def_id.to_def_id());
+            if !ev.direct.is_at_least(private_vis, tcx) {
+                span_bug!(span, "private {:?} > direct {:?}", private_vis, ev.direct);
+            }
+            if !ev.reexported.is_at_least(ev.direct, tcx) {
+                span_bug!(span, "direct {:?} > reexported {:?}", ev.direct, ev.reexported);
+            }
+            if !ev.reachable.is_at_least(ev.reexported, tcx) {
+                span_bug!(span, "reexported {:?} > reachable {:?}", ev.reexported, ev.reachable);
+            }
+            if !ev.reachable_through_impl_trait.is_at_least(ev.reachable, tcx) {
+                span_bug!(
+                    span,
+                    "reachable {:?} > reachable_through_impl_trait {:?}",
+                    ev.reachable,
+                    ev.reachable_through_impl_trait
+                );
+            }
+            let nominal_vis = tcx.visibility(def_id);
+            let def_kind = tcx.opt_def_kind(def_id);
+            // FIXME: `rustc_privacy` is not yet updated for the new logic and can set
+            // effective visibilities that are larger than the nominal one.
+            if !nominal_vis.is_at_least(ev.reachable_through_impl_trait, tcx) && early {
+                span_bug!(
+                    span,
+                    "{:?}: reachable_through_impl_trait {:?} > nominal {:?}",
+                    def_id,
+                    ev.reachable_through_impl_trait,
+                    nominal_vis
+                );
+            }
+            // Fully private items are never put into the table, this is important for performance.
+            // FIXME: Fully private `mod` items are currently put into the table.
+            if ev.reachable_through_impl_trait == private_vis && def_kind != Some(DefKind::Mod) {
+                span_bug!(span, "fully private item in the table {:?}: {:?}", def_id, ev.direct);
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl<Id: Eq + Hash> EffectiveVisibilities<Id> {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs b/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs
index bda3b55cfc3..e17f85c1aae 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs
@@ -2139,6 +2139,7 @@ fn effective_visibilities(tcx: TyCtxt<'_>, (): ()) -> &EffectiveVisibilities {
         changed: false,
     };
 
+    visitor.effective_visibilities.check_invariants(tcx, true);
     loop {
         tcx.hir().walk_toplevel_module(&mut visitor);
         if visitor.changed {
@@ -2147,6 +2148,7 @@ fn effective_visibilities(tcx: TyCtxt<'_>, (): ()) -> &EffectiveVisibilities {
             break;
         }
     }
+    visitor.effective_visibilities.check_invariants(tcx, false);
 
     let mut check_visitor =
         TestReachabilityVisitor { tcx, effective_visibilities: &visitor.effective_visibilities };