diff --git a/include/swupdate_settings.h b/include/swupdate_settings.h
index 073cc7cc..47149c5f 100644
--- a/include/swupdate_settings.h
+++ b/include/swupdate_settings.h
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ static inline void swupdate_cfg_init(swupdate_cfg_handle __attribute__ ((__unuse
 static inline int swupdate_cfg_read_file(swupdate_cfg_handle __attribute__ ((__unused__))*handle,
 		const char __attribute__ ((__unused__))*filename)
 {
+	fprintf(stderr("libconfig not available: check CONFIG_LIBCONFIG & BR2_PACKAGE_LIBCONFIG!\n");
+	fflush(stderr);
 	return -1;
 }