diff --git a/src/unit_tests/unit_test_main.cc b/src/unit_tests/unit_test_main.cc
index 1d0bc6b79..80d64c7b5 100644
--- a/src/unit_tests/unit_test_main.cc
+++ b/src/unit_tests/unit_test_main.cc
@@ -365,6 +365,10 @@ main_cont (int argc, char **argv)
 
     }
 
+    if (! tl::TestRegistrar::instance()) {
+      throw tl::Exception ("No test libraries found - make sure, the *.ut files are next to the ut_runner executable.");
+    }
+
     //  No side effects
     lay::set_klayout_path (std::vector<std::string> ());