diff --git a/src/caribou.py b/src/caribou.py
index a1f0c13..ff61a9f 100755
--- a/src/caribou.py
+++ b/src/caribou.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import gtk
 import gtk.gdk as gdk
 import pyatspi
 import sys
+import gconf
 
 import caribou.window as window
 import caribou.keyboard as keyboard
@@ -165,6 +166,18 @@ def usage():
 if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     try:
+        gconfClient = gconf.client_get_default()
+        isAccessibilityEnabled = gconfClient.get_bool("/desktop/gnome/interface/accessibility") \
+            or gconfClient.get_bool("/desktop/gnome/interface/accessibility2")
+    except:
+        gconfClient = None
+        isAccessibilityEnabled = False
+        
+    if not isAccessibilityEnabled:
+        print "Error: GNOME a11y has to be enabled in order to work correctly"
+        sys.exit(1)
+        
+    try:
         options, xargs = getopt.getopt(sys.argv[1:], "dhv",
             ["debug", "help", "version"])
     except getopt.GetoptError, e:
