diff --git a/lib/cmd/install.js b/lib/cmd/install.js
index 81f0040a714..7ec01f80d97 100644
--- a/lib/cmd/install.js
+++ b/lib/cmd/install.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ function installCmd (input, flags) {
 
   return readPkgUp()
     .then(_ => { pkg = _ })
+    .then(_ => _ || Promise.reject("there is no './package.json'"))
     .then(_ => updateContext(pkg.path))
     .then(_ => install())
     .then(_ => linkPeers(pkg, ctx.store, ctx.installs))