diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 939512c..419262d 100644
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ do
     # Load relevant environment variables from lixonet.conf
     unset git
     source $dir/lixonet.conf
+    if [ -z "$git" ]; then echo "Missing 'git' variable in $dir/lixonet.conf"; exit 1; fi
 
     echo "Configuring Lixonet3 network $netname from $git..."