diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d05a36861..0961b4bb1 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@
 # Add the following 'help' target to your Makefile
 # And add help text after each target name starting with '\#\#'
 
+ifeq ($(shell which go >/dev/null 2>&1; echo $$?), 1)
+    $(error Can't find 'go' in PATH, please fix and retry. See http://golang.org/doc/install for installation instructions.)
+endif
+
 .DEFAULT_GOAL:=help
 
 .EXPORT_ALL_VARIABLES: