diff --git a/nft-edit-ruleset b/nft-edit-ruleset
index 2471239..2d2fd39 100755
--- a/nft-edit-ruleset
+++ b/nft-edit-ruleset
@@ -15,6 +15,13 @@ else
   default_config_file=""
 fi
 
+nft=$(command -v nft)
+
+if test -z "$nft" ; then
+    echo "ERROR: Command \"nft\" not found; aborted." >&2
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 ##
 # Functions