diff --git a/dist/setup.sh b/dist/setup.sh
index 449b304..d17f4e1 100755
--- a/dist/setup.sh
+++ b/dist/setup.sh
@@ -528,6 +528,16 @@ sanity_checks() {
 
   echo "    check requirements."
 
+  if ! [ -x "$(command -v docker)" ]; then
+    echo "          docker is not installed on your system. Please check https://www.docker.com/get-started."
+    exit
+  fi
+
+  if ! [ -x "$(command -v docker-compose)" ]; then
+    echo "          docker-compose is not installed on your system. Please check https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/."
+    exit
+  fi
+
   local OS=$(uname -s)
 
   if [[ ''$RUN_AS_USER == '' ]]; then
@@ -581,7 +591,7 @@ sanity_checks() {
       SUDO_REQUIRED=1
     fi
   else
-    echo "    check everything seems to be ok."
+    echo "    nice! everything seems to be ok."
   fi
 }