diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index a80d201eb21..ea522245a93 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -21,6 +21,15 @@ cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 2.8.11 FATAL_ERROR)
 
 project(AliRoot CXX C)
 
+message(STATUS "CMake platform: ${CMAKE_SYSTEM}")
+message(STATUS "Build folder: ${AliRoot_BINARY_DIR}")
+message(STATUS "Source folder: ${AliRoot_SOURCE_DIR}")
+message(STATUS "Installation folder: ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}")
+
+if(CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX STREQUAL "${AliRoot_SOURCE_DIR}")
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Please choose a different installation point than the source tree!")
+endif()
+
 # Path to additonal modules
 set(CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${AliRoot_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake")
 
@@ -171,11 +180,6 @@ find_package(FASTJET)
 # ZEROMQ
 find_package(ZeroMQ)
 
-message(STATUS "CMake platform: ${CMAKE_SYSTEM}")
-message(STATUS "Build folder: ${AliRoot_BINARY_DIR}")
-message(STATUS "Source folder: ${AliRoot_SOURCE_DIR}")
-message(STATUS "Installation folder: ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}")
-
 # General flags -> Should be moved into a configuration file
 set(CMAKE_POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE TRUE)
 set(CMAKE_NO_SYSTEM_FROM_IMPORTED TRUE)