diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 9c026b6d..46328875 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ build-test-tools:
 .PHONY: build-test-tools
 
 test:
+	@which helm &> /dev/null || (echo "helm binary not found. Please see: https://helm.sh/docs/intro/install/" && exit 1)
 	go build -o helmfile .
 	go test -v ${PKGS} -cover -race -p=1
 .PHONY: test