diff --git a/provision.sh b/provision.sh
index 96c154f..ceed65b 100755
--- a/provision.sh
+++ b/provision.sh
@@ -12,8 +12,15 @@ BASEPATH=$2
 
 if [ ! -d "$BASEPATH" ]; then
 
+	echo "container-provisioner: building new $FLAVOR at $BASEPATH"
 	debootstrap $FLAVOR "$BASEPATH"
 
+	Q=$?
+	if [ $Q -ne 0 ]; then
+		echo "debootstrap failed; are you connected to the Internet?"
+		exit $Q
+	fi
+
 fi
 
 if [ ! -d "$BASEPATH" ]; then