diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9883995..2165e73 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ A set of bash scripts for installing and managing a WireGuard VPN server.
 
 ## Requirements
 A minimal Debian 12 server install with no extra services or packages installed.
-It is recommended to first install base-stack which will configure a basic server set up including firewald & fail2ban to secure the server:
+Requires base-stack which will configure a basic server set up including firewald & fail2ban to secure the server:
 https://git.stack-source.com/msb/base-stack
 
 ## Install
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 99cb004..9e837cc 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -21,22 +21,32 @@ fi
 os_id=`lsb_release -is 2>/dev/null`
 os_release=`lsb_release -rs 2>/dev/null`
 if [ $os_id != Debian ] || [ $os_release != 12 ]; then
-  echo "this installer only runs on Debian 12, bailing out"
+  echo "This installer only runs on Debian 12, bailing out."
   exit 1
 fi
 
-if [ -d /etc/wiregaurd ]; then
-  echo "looks like wireguard is already installed, bailing out"
+if [[ -d /etc/wiregaurd ]]; then
+  echo "Looks like wireguard is already installed, bailing out."
   exit 1
 fi
 
-if [ -d /etc/stubby/ ]; then
-  echo "looks like stubby is already installed, bailing out"
+if [[ -d /etc/stubby/ ]]; then
+  echo "Looks like stubby is already installed, bailing out."
   exit 1
 fi
 
-if [ -d /etc/dnsmasq.d ]; then
-  echo "looks like dnsmasq is already installed, bailing out"
+if [[ -d /etc/dnsmasq.d ]]; then
+  echo "Looks like dnsmasq is already installed, bailing out."
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+if [[ ! -d /etc/firewalld ]]; then
+  echo "Firewalld is not installed. Did you remember to install base-stack first?"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+if [[ ! -d /etc/fail2ban ]]; then
+  echo "Fail2Ban is not installed. Did you remember to install base-stack first?"
   exit 1
 fi