diff --git a/create_image.sh b/create_image.sh
index e297d20..be09f40 100755
--- a/create_image.sh
+++ b/create_image.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,12 @@ set -uo pipefail
 # Import environment variables from .env
 set -o allexport && source .env && set +o allexport
 
+# Check requirements
+if ! command -v docker &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "ERROR: 'docker' command not available. Is Docker installed?"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 echo "Building image '$DOCKER_IMAGE_NAME:$DOCKER_IMAGE_TAG'..."
 # TIP: Add `--progress=plain` to see the full docker output when you are
 # troubleshooting the build setup of your image.
diff --git a/start_container.sh b/start_container.sh
index b1d2f25..3d840bf 100755
--- a/start_container.sh
+++ b/start_container.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,12 @@ set -uo pipefail
 # Import environment variables from .env
 set -o allexport && source .env && set +o allexport
 
+# Check requirements
+if ! command -v docker &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "ERROR: 'docker' command not available. Is Docker installed?"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 # Force amd64 as the platform.  This workaround is needed on Apple Silicon
 # machines.  Details at https://stackoverflow.com/questions/72152446/.
 declare -r DOCKER_OPTIONS="--platform linux/amd64"