diff --git a/cli/recipe/version.go b/cli/recipe/version.go
index cc15e1c5..040db877 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/version.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/version.go
@@ -40,7 +40,12 @@ var recipeVersionCommand = &cli.Command{
 		}
 
 		table.SetAutoMergeCells(true)
-		table.Render()
+
+		if table.NumLines() > 0 {
+			table.Render()
+		} else {
+			logrus.Fatalf("%s has no published versions?", recipe.Name)
+		}
 
 		return nil
 	},