diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 1e17d1e5..21394ff7 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ task wrapper(type: Wrapper) {
 }
 
 if (hasProperty('local')) {
+    if (!hasProperty('LOCAL_MAVEN_URL')) {
+        throw new RuntimeException('Cannot publish to local maven as no such property exists: LOCAL_MAVEN_URL')
+    }
     ext.RELEASE_REPOSITORY_URL = LOCAL_MAVEN_URL
     ext.SNAPSHOT_REPOSITORY_URL = LOCAL_MAVEN_URL
 }