diff --git a/tools/dsh/main.cpp b/tools/dsh/main.cpp
index 3b2592d..12dae12 100644
--- a/tools/dsh/main.cpp
+++ b/tools/dsh/main.cpp
@@ -219,6 +219,10 @@
     fmt::print("dsh 1.0\n");
 
     auto identity = dhtnet::loadIdentity(params.privateKey, params.cert);
+    if (!identity.first || !identity.second) {
+        fmt::print(stderr, "Hint: To generate new identity files, run: dhtnet-crtmgr --interactive\n");
+        return EXIT_FAILURE;
+    }
     fmt::print("Loaded identity: {} \n", identity.second->getId());
 
     std::unique_ptr<dhtnet::Dsh> dhtsh;