diff --git a/cli/Makefile b/cli/Makefile
index cb48dfa89f2f4e490723c016831c39767501753c..b6f51819658f3f3b3c39d6d2b8a8a98d6a5916f7 100644
--- a/cli/Makefile
+++ b/cli/Makefile
@@ -2,9 +2,14 @@
 
 include ../utils/help.mk
 
+.PHONY: preflight
+preflight:
+	# Check for required tools
+	command -v podman > /dev/null
+
 .PHONY: install
-install: ## Install koolbox, the Kubernetes Toolbox for SI-Infrastructure
+install: preflight ## Install koolbox, the Kubernetes Toolbox for SI-Infrastructure
 	install -m 755 ./koolbox ~/bin/koolbox
 
-build: ## Build container locally instead of using one from upstream
+build: preflight ## Build container locally instead of using one from upstream
 	podman build -t quay.io/sheogorath/koolbox:latest .