diff --git a/start.cmd b/start.cmd
index 929e5f7bb..747716ff8 100644
--- a/start.cmd
+++ b/start.cmd
@@ -2,11 +2,24 @@
 TITLE PocketMine-MP server software for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition
 cd /d %~dp0
 
+set PHP_BINARY=
+
+where /q php.exe
+if %ERRORLEVEL%==0 (
+	set PHP_BINARY=php
+)
+
 if exist bin\php\php.exe (
+	rem always use the local PHP binary if it exists
 	set PHPRC=""
 	set PHP_BINARY=bin\php\php.exe
-) else (
-	set PHP_BINARY=php
+)
+
+if "%PHP_BINARY%"=="" (
+	echo Couldn't find a PHP binary in system PATH or %~dp0\bin\php
+	echo Please refer to the installation instructions at https://doc.pmmp.io/en/rtfd/installation.html
+	pause
+	exit 1
 )
 
 if exist PocketMine-MP.phar (
diff --git a/start.ps1 b/start.ps1
index 2528dd691..19b2a6158 100644
--- a/start.ps1
+++ b/start.ps1
@@ -11,8 +11,13 @@ if($php -ne ""){
 }elseif(Test-Path "bin\php\php.exe"){
 	$env:PHPRC = ""
 	$binary = "bin\php\php.exe"
-}else{
+}elseif((Get-Command php -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)){
 	$binary = "php"
+}else{
+	echo "Couldn't find a PHP binary in system PATH or $pwd\bin\php"
+	echo "Please refer to the installation instructions at https://doc.pmmp.io/en/rtfd/installation.html"
+	pause
+	exit 1
 }
 
 if($file -eq ""){