diff --git a/bin/next-start b/bin/next-start
index dd34b3a82e220..62eca75b80024 100755
--- a/bin/next-start
+++ b/bin/next-start
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ const dir = resolve(argv._[0] || '.')
 
 const srv = new Server({ dir })
 
-if (!existsSync(resolve(dir, '.next'))) {
-  console.error(`> Could not find the '.next' directory! Try building your app with 'next build' before starting the server.`)
+if (!existsSync(resolve(dir, '.next', 'BUILD_ID'))) {
+  console.error(`> Could not find a valid build in the '.next' directory! Try building your app with 'next build' before starting the server.`)
   process.exit(1)
 }