diff --git a/bootstrap/autoload.php b/bootstrap/autoload.php
index 09998ab94..44247d105 100644
--- a/bootstrap/autoload.php
+++ b/bootstrap/autoload.php
@@ -13,7 +13,14 @@ define('LARAVEL_START', microtime(true));
 |
 */
 
-require __DIR__.'/../vendor/october/rain/src/Support/helpers.php';
+$helperPath = __DIR__.'/../vendor/october/rain/src/Support/helpers.php';
+
+if (!file_exists($helperPath)) {
+    echo 'Missing vendor files, try running "composer install" or use the Wizard installer.'.PHP_EOL;
+    exit(1);
+}
+
+require $helperPath;
 
 /*
 |--------------------------------------------------------------------------