diff --git a/client/gui_qt.py b/client/gui_qt.py
index 1426aba57..bdd12ab59 100644
--- a/client/gui_qt.py
+++ b/client/gui_qt.py
@@ -7,7 +7,12 @@ from PyQt4.QtCore import *
 import PyQt4.QtCore as QtCore
 import PyQt4.QtGui as QtGui
 
-import icons_rc
+try:
+    import icons_rc
+except:
+    print "could not import icons_rp.py"
+    print "generate it with: 'pyrcc4 icons.qrc -o icons_rc.py'"
+    sys.exit(1)
 
 from wallet import format_satoshis
 from decimal import Decimal
diff --git a/client/setup.py b/client/setup.py
index 6a16a7a30..97679d868 100644
--- a/client/setup.py
+++ b/client/setup.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/python
 
-# pyrcc4 icons.qrc -o icons_rc.py
 # python setup.py sdist --format=zip,gztar
 
 from distutils.core import setup