diff --git a/lcs/__init__.py b/lcs/__init__.py
index 2e83e21..0a9f331 100644
--- a/lcs/__init__.py
+++ b/lcs/__init__.py
@@ -2,7 +2,13 @@ import sys
 import os
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(__file__))
 
-import qommon
+try:
+    import qommon
+except ImportError:
+    print >> sys.stderr, 'Failed to import module \'qommon\''
+    print >> sys.stderr, '  export CVSROOT=... (for w.c.s., see labs)'
+    print >> sys.stderr, '  cvs checkout -d lcs/qommon wcs/wcs/qommon'
+    sys.exit(1)
 
 import lasso
 if not hasattr(lasso, 'SAML2_SUPPORT'):