diff --git a/layouts/index.html b/layouts/index.html
index e1d285b7..93bdb427 100644
--- a/layouts/index.html
+++ b/layouts/index.html
@@ -1 +1,4 @@
+{{ if not (isset $.Site.Params "color_theme") }}
+  {{ errorf "Please complete the installation of Academic by following the steps at https://sourcethemes.com/academic/docs/install/" }}
+{{ end }}
 {{ partial "widget_page.html" . }}