diff --git a/bitbake-dev/bin/bitbake b/bitbake-dev/bin/bitbake
index 87c3a94083..f4cd0cb69a 100755
--- a/bitbake-dev/bin/bitbake
+++ b/bitbake-dev/bin/bitbake
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ from bb.ui import uievent
 
 __version__ = "1.9.0"
 
+if sys.hexversion < 0x020600F0:
+    print "Sorry, python 2.6 or later is required for this version of bitbake"
+    sys.exit(1)
+
 #============================================================================#
 # BBOptions
 #============================================================================#