diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -808,6 +808,9 @@
 
 dnl Check for boost libs
 AX_BOOST_BASE([MINIMUM_REQUIRED_BOOST])
+if test x$want_boost = xno; then
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([[only libbitcoinconsensus can be built without boost]])
+fi
 AX_BOOST_SYSTEM
 AX_BOOST_FILESYSTEM
 AX_BOOST_PROGRAM_OPTIONS