diff --git a/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py b/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py
index dbbba552ad..4066788c88 100755
--- a/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py
+++ b/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ def main():
     if not sys.argv[1].startswith('qemu_'):
         sys.exit(0)
 
+    if not os.path.exists('output/images/start-qemu.sh'):
+        print('qemu-start.sh is missing, cannot test.')
+        sys.exit(0)
+
     qemu_start = os.path.join(os.getcwd(), 'output/images/start-qemu.sh')
 
     child = pexpect.spawn(qemu_start, ['serial-only'],