diff --git a/settings.gradle.kts b/settings.gradle.kts
index 18cf95a321..189e95819a 100644
--- a/settings.gradle.kts
+++ b/settings.gradle.kts
@@ -1,5 +1,25 @@
 import java.util.Locale
 
+if (!file(".git").isDirectory) {
+    val errorText = """
+        
+        =====================[ ERROR ]=====================
+         The Paper project directory is not a properly cloned Git repository.
+         
+         In order to build Paper from source you must clone
+         the Paper repository using Git, not download a code
+         zip from GitHub.
+         
+         Built Paper jars are available for download at
+         https://papermc.io/downloads
+         
+         See https://github.com/PaperMC/Paper/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md
+         for further information on building and modifying Paper.
+        ===================================================
+    """.trimIndent()
+    error(errorText)
+}
+
 pluginManagement {
     repositories {
         gradlePluginPortal()