diff --git a/git-am.sh b/git-am.sh
index 2c517ede5..83b277acf 100755
--- a/git-am.sh
+++ b/git-am.sh
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ set_reflog_action am
 require_work_tree
 cd_to_toplevel
 
-git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT >/dev/null || exit
+git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT >/dev/null ||
+	die "You need to set your committer info first"
 
 stop_here () {
     echo "$1" >"$dotest/next"