diff --git a/anki/__init__.py b/anki/__init__.py
index 38658e636..8382aa318 100644
--- a/anki/__init__.py
+++ b/anki/__init__.py
@@ -45,5 +45,9 @@ elif sys.version_info[1] < 5:
 if sys.getfilesystemencoding().lower() in ("ascii", "ansi_x3.4-1968"):
     raise Exception("Anki requires a UTF-8 locale.")
 
+import os
+if not os.path.exists(os.path.expanduser("~/.no-warranty")):
+    raise Exception("Don't use this without reading the forum thread")
+
 version = "1.99"
 from anki.storage import Deck