diff --git a/consul-bootstrap.sh b/consul-bootstrap.sh
index 900edf7..cda1f2c 100755
--- a/consul-bootstrap.sh
+++ b/consul-bootstrap.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@
 # exit on error
 set -e
 
+if [ "$#" -eq 0 ]
+  echo "No options specified, exiting."
+  exit 1
+fi
+
 # create directory if doesn't exist and set permissions
 mkdir -p /etc/consul.d/ && chown -R consul:consul /etc/consul.d/
 
@@ -43,10 +48,6 @@ consultype="client"
 bind_ip=null
 server_ip=null
 
-if [ "$#" -eq 0 ]
-  echo "No options specified, exiting."
-  exit 1
-
 # read parameters
 while [[ "$#" -gt 0 ]]
 do