diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index f341963..7cf1b86 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ all: base packages files commands build-overlay
 
 base:
 	@echo " * Building Base Image..."
+	@ping -qW 1 -c 1 $(BOOT_HOST) >/dev/null || ( echo " -- Unable to reach $(BOOT_HOST)" && exit 1 )
 	@mkdir -p tmp base
 	@echo " -- Gathering base package info"
 	@wget -q $(MIRROR)/x86_64/ -O tmp/alpine-packages.html