diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 0573c2958..d3f191940 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ from io import StringIO
 
 from picard import __version__
 
-if sys.version_info < (2, 7):
-    print("*** You need Python 2.7 or higher to use Picard.")
+if sys.version_info < (3, 5):
+    sys.exit("ERROR: You need Python 3.5 or higher to use Picard.")
 
 
 args = {}