diff --git a/config/verifyInstall.go b/config/verifyInstall.go
index 1ae6c849f..90bbce312 100644
--- a/config/verifyInstall.go
+++ b/config/verifyInstall.go
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ func verifyFFMpegPath(path string) error {
 
 	cmd := exec.Command(path)
 	out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unable to determine the version of your ffmpeg installation at %s. you may experience issues with video.", path)
+	}
 
 	response := string(out)
 	if response == "" {