diff --git a/layouts/_default/baseof.html b/layouts/_default/baseof.html
index 3d13f07a..d2de5eec 100644
--- a/layouts/_default/baseof.html
+++ b/layouts/_default/baseof.html
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+{{- if lt hugo.Version "0.97.1" }}
+{{- errorf "=> hugo v0.97.1 or greater is required for hugo-PaperMod to build " }}
+{{- end -}}
+