diff --git a/python/samba/tdb_util.py b/python/samba/tdb_util.py
index d967434..01fdb44 100644
--- a/python/samba/tdb_util.py
+++ b/python/samba/tdb_util.py
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ def tdb_copy(file1, file2):
         if os.path.exists(toolpath):
             break
 
+    if not os.path.exists(toolpath):
+       raise Exception("Error I could not find tdbbackup maybe you need to"
+                       " install tdb-tools?")
+
     tdbbackup_cmd = [toolpath, "-s", ".copy.tdb", file1]
     status = subprocess.call(tdbbackup_cmd, close_fds=True, shell=False)