diff --git a/packages/tools/syslinux/files/create_livestick b/packages/tools/syslinux/files/create_livestick
index 3ea77dceee..ee13e635f0 100755
--- a/packages/tools/syslinux/files/create_livestick
+++ b/packages/tools/syslinux/files/create_livestick
@@ -113,6 +113,21 @@ echo "#########################################################"
     exit 1
   fi
 
+  # this is needed to format the drive
+  which mkfs.vfat > /dev/null
+  if [ "$?" = "1" ]; then
+    clear
+    echo "#########################################################"
+    echo "#                                                       #"
+    echo "# OpenELEC.tv missing tool - Installation will quit     #"
+    echo "#                                                       #"
+    echo "#      We can't find the required tool \"mkfs.vfat\"       #"
+    echo "#      on your system.                                  #"
+    echo "#      Please install it via your package manager.      #"
+    echo "#                                                       #"
+    echo "#########################################################"
+    exit 1
+  fi
 
 # check MD5 sums
   echo "checking MD5 sum..."