diff --git a/cli/server/add.go b/cli/server/add.go
index 59245c632..bdcc4b59c 100644
--- a/cli/server/add.go
+++ b/cli/server/add.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package server
 import (
 	"context"
 	"os/user"
+	"strings"
 
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/cli/internal"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/client"
@@ -79,7 +80,11 @@ All communication between Abra and the server will use this SSH connection.
 		}
 
 		if _, err := cl.Info(ctx); err != nil {
-			logrus.Fatalf("unable to make a connection to '%s'?", domainName)
+			if strings.Contains(err.Error(), "command not found") {
+				logrus.Fatalf("docker is not installed on '%s'?", domainName)
+			} else {
+				logrus.Fatalf("unable to make a connection to '%s'?", domainName)
+			}
 			logrus.Debug(err)
 		}