diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 4d5e66ab..9df9ae9f 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ build/tinygo:
 	go build -o build/tinygo .
 
 static:
+	@if [ ! -f llvm-build/bin/llvm-config ]; then echo "Fetch and build LLVM first by running:\n  make llvm-source\n  make llvm-build"; exit 1; fi
 	CGO_CPPFLAGS="$(CGO_CPPFLAGS)" CGO_CXXFLAGS="$(CGO_CXXFLAGS)" CGO_LDFLAGS="$(CGO_LDFLAGS)" go build -o build/tinygo -tags byollvm .
 
 static-test: