diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index f6350317..5f4f24f6 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,3 +1,12 @@
+ifeq ($(origin MAKE_VERSION),undefined)
+  $(error GNU make >= 4 is required. MAKE_VERSION is undefined, so GNU make may not be installed or in use. Run 'make --version' to verify.)
+endif
+
+MAKE_MAJOR := $(firstword $(subst ., ,$(MAKE_VERSION)))
+ifneq ($(filter 0 1 2 3,$(MAKE_MAJOR)),)
+  $(error GNU make >= 4 is required. Found version $(MAKE_VERSION). Run 'make --version' to check your current version.)
+endif
+
 .PHONY: all configure pkgs pre-stow quick stow
 
 MKFILE_PATH := $(shell dirname $(realpath $(firstword $(MAKEFILE_LIST))))