diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 9a8211c..a7ecdca 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -13,6 +13,18 @@ else
     JOBS=1
 fi
 
+# check if rustc and cargo are installed, otherwise exit with error
+if ! command -v rustc &> /dev/null
+then
+    echo "rustc could not be found. Please install it and try again."
+    exit
+fi
+if ! command -v cargo &> /dev/null
+then
+    echo "cargo could not be found. Please install it and try again."
+    exit
+fi
+
 VERSION=$(cat src/version.h |cut -d\" -f2)
 echo "Compiling SilentDragonLite $VERSION with $JOBS threads..."
 CONF=silentdragon-lite.pro