diff --git a/cmd/helm/install.go b/cmd/helm/install.go
index b9eb3b28a..c51786f90 100644
--- a/cmd/helm/install.go
+++ b/cmd/helm/install.go
@@ -232,6 +232,8 @@ func (i *installCmd) run() error {
 		if err := checkDependencies(chartRequested, req, i.out); err != nil {
 			return prettyError(err)
 		}
+	} else if err != chartutil.ErrRequirementsNotFound {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot load requirements: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	res, err := i.client.InstallReleaseFromChart(
diff --git a/cmd/helm/upgrade.go b/cmd/helm/upgrade.go
index c27581c57..3aeb0eace 100644
--- a/cmd/helm/upgrade.go
+++ b/cmd/helm/upgrade.go
@@ -185,7 +185,11 @@ func (u *upgradeCmd) run() error {
 			if err := checkDependencies(ch, req, u.out); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
+		} else if err != chartutil.ErrRequirementsNotFound {
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot load requirements: %v", err)
 		}
+	} else {
+		return prettyError(err)
 	}
 
 	resp, err := u.client.UpdateRelease(