diff --git a/utils/makefile.python b/utils/makefile.python
index 287012398..f4fd02197 100644
--- a/utils/makefile.python
+++ b/utils/makefile.python
@@ -87,6 +87,22 @@ python-exe:
 	@:
 endif
 
+msg-pip-exe:
+	@echo "\n  $(PIP) is required\n\n\
+  Make sure you have updated pip installed, grab it from\n\
+  https://pip.pypa.io or install it from your package\n\
+  manager. On debian based OS these requirements are\n\
+  installed by::\n\n\
+    sudo -H apt-get install python$(PY)-pip\n" | $(FMT)
+
+ifeq ($(shell which $(PIP) >/dev/null 2>&1; echo $$?), 1)
+pip-exe: msg-pip-exe
+	$(error The '$(PIP)' command was not found)
+else
+pip-exe:
+	@:
+endif
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # commands
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------