diff --git a/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/hooks/python-output-dist-hook.sh b/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/hooks/python-output-dist-hook.sh
index e73e45cd597a..83b79d01fa40 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/hooks/python-output-dist-hook.sh
+++ b/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/hooks/python-output-dist-hook.sh
@@ -3,7 +3,21 @@ echo "Sourcing python-catch-conflicts-hook.sh"
 
 pythonOutputDistPhase() {
     echo "Executing pythonOutputDistPhase"
-    mv "dist" "$dist"
+    if [[ -d dist ]]; then
+        mv "dist" "$dist"
+    else
+        cat >&2 <<EOF
+The build contains no ./dist directory.
+If this project is not setuptools-based, pass
+
+  format = "other";
+
+to buildPythonApplication/buildPythonPackage or another appropriate value as described here:
+
+  https://nixos.org/manual/nixpkgs/stable/#buildpythonpackage-function
+EOF
+        false
+    fi
     echo "Finished executing pythonOutputDistPhase"
 }