diff --git a/lib/transports/idbTransport.js b/lib/transports/idbTransport.js
index 4d0a956..e958966 100644
--- a/lib/transports/idbTransport.js
+++ b/lib/transports/idbTransport.js
@@ -28,6 +28,11 @@ try {
 }
 
 function idbCall(config, xmlInput, cb) {
+  // idb transport is not available bail out
+  if (idb === null) {
+    cb(new Error('idb-connector was not found, ensure idb-connector is installed properly (idb-connector is only available on IBM i).'), null);
+  }
+
   const {
     database = '*LOCAL',
     username = null,
diff --git a/lib/transports/odbcTransport.js b/lib/transports/odbcTransport.js
index ce219a9..9d257c6 100644
--- a/lib/transports/odbcTransport.js
+++ b/lib/transports/odbcTransport.js
@@ -28,6 +28,11 @@ try {
 }
 
 function odbcCall(config, xmlInput, done) {
+  // odbc transport is not available bail out
+  if (odbc === null) {
+    done(new Error('odbc transport was not found, ensure odbc is installed properly.'), null);
+  }
+
   const {
     host = 'localhost',
     username = null,