diff --git a/abra b/abra
index 6fcab75..30a769e 100755
--- a/abra
+++ b/abra
@@ -2,7 +2,12 @@
 PROGRAM_NAME=""$(basename "$0")
 
 if [ -z "$STACK_NAME" ] || [ -z "$STACK_NAME" ]; then
-	echo "ERROR: STACK_NAME must be set (e.g. export STACK_NAME=my_cool_app)"
+	echo "$(tput setaf 1)ERROR: STACK_NAME must be set (e.g. export STACK_NAME=my_cool_app)$(tput sgr0 )"
+	exit
+fi
+
+if type direnv 2>&1 > /dev/null && ! direnv status | grep -q 'Found RC allowed true'; then
+	echo "$(tput setaf 1)ERROR: direnv is blocked, run direnv allow$(tput sgr0)"
 	exit
 fi