diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 3ae7cedef9..166f754ac5 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -6,7 +6,17 @@ from glob import glob
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('lib'))
 from ansible import __version__, __author__
-from setuptools import setup
+try:
+    from setuptools import setup
+    raise ImportError
+except ImportError:
+    print('''
+ansible now needs setuptools in order to build.
+
+Some scripts now need setuptools installed in order to run.
+          ''')
+    raise
+
 
 # find library modules
 from ansible.constants import DEFAULT_MODULE_PATH