diff --git a/config/utilities/uenv.py b/config/utilities/uenv.py
index 130e1666d..1a196f34b 100644
--- a/config/utilities/uenv.py
+++ b/config/utilities/uenv.py
@@ -78,6 +78,16 @@ def _get_uenvs():
                 f"{inspect_cmd}='{{system}}'", shell=True).stdout.strip()
 
             image_path = pathlib.Path(image_path)
+            # Check that uenv was pulled
+            if not image_path.is_file():
+                raise ConfigError(f"{uenv_name} is missing, "
+                    f"try pulling it with: uenv image pull {uenv_name}")
+            try:
+                if image_path.stat().st_size == 0:
+                    raise ConfigError(f"{uenv_name} is empty, "
+                        f"try pulling it with: uenv image pull {uenv_name}")
+            except FileNotFoundError:
+                raise ConfigError(f"{uenv_name} was not found")
 
             # FIXME temporary workaround for older uenv versions
             if Version(uenv_version) >= Version('5.1.0-dev'):