diff --git a/INSTALL_ON_OSX b/INSTALL_ON_OSX
index 7d44ac8bf..661f9f0d2 100644
--- a/INSTALL_ON_OSX
+++ b/INSTALL_ON_OSX
@@ -14,15 +14,22 @@ task :install do
   puts "Grab a beer and let's get started."
   print "Hit enter to continue! "
   input = STDIN.gets
+  
 
   BREW_INSTALLED = installed?('brew')
   RVM_INSTALLED = installed?('rvm')
   MYSQL_INSTALLED = installed?('mysql')
   REDIS_INSTALLED = installed?('redis-server')
   IMAGEMAGICK_INSTALLED = installed?('mogrify')
-
+  XCODE_INSTALLED = installed?('gcc')
   # TODO: check for xcode install
 
+  unless XCODE_INSTALLED
+    puts "you need to install XCode before running this script"
+    puts "you can get it from your OSX install cd, or from Apple's developer page"
+    Process.exit
+  end
+
   unless BREW_INSTALLED
     puts "Installing homebrew..."
     system("ruby -e \"$(curl -fsSL https://gist.github.com/raw/323731/install_homebrew.rb)\"")