diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 04f579b..84ddc74 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -3,6 +3,12 @@ set -e
 CCOPT=
 CXXOPT=
 
+# error if devkitarm is not installed and binutils-arm-none-eabi is not installed
+if ! ([ -n "$DEVKITARM" ] && [ -d "$DEVKITARM/bin" ]) && ! (command -v arm-none-eabi-as &> /dev/null && command -v arm-none-eabi-ar &> /dev/null) ; then
+	echo "Could not find a binutils installation! Re-read the instructions and make sure you've installed either devkitARM or binutils-arm-none-eabi, depending on your system."
+	exit 1
+fi
+
 if [ ! -z "$CC" ]; then CCOPT=CC=$CC; fi
 if [ ! -z "$CXX" ]; then CXXOPT=CXX=$CXX; fi
 make -C gcc clean