diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 0dd0a4b..82e1962 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -58,13 +58,17 @@ setup-signal:
 create-admin-user:
 	docker exec -i $(shell docker ps -aqf "name=metamigo-postgresql") bash < ./scripts/create-admin-user.sh
 
-start:
+
+.env:
+	@test -f .env || echo "You must create .env please refer to the README" && exit 1
+
+start: .env
 	CURRENT_UID=$(CURRENT_UID) docker-compose up -d
 
-start-dev:
+start-dev: .env
 	CURRENT_UID=$(CURRENT_UID) docker-compose up --build -d
 
-restart:
+restart: .env
 	CURRENT_UID=$(CURRENT_UID) docker restart $(shell docker ps -a -q)
 
 stop: