diff --git a/config/add_dj_module.py b/config/add_dj_module.py
index d5e24e793..78213f8ee 100644
--- a/config/add_dj_module.py
+++ b/config/add_dj_module.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import sys
 import tempfile
 
-target_group = "kachery-users"
+TARGET_GROUP = "kachery-users"
 
 
 def add_module(module_name):
@@ -15,10 +15,16 @@ def add_module(module_name):
 
     # find the kachery-users group
     groups = grp.getgrall()
+    group_found = False  # initialize the flag as False
     for group in groups:
-        if group.gr_name == target_group:
+        if group.gr_name == TARGET_GROUP:
+            group_found = True  # set the flag to True when the group is found
             break
 
+    # Check if the group was found
+    if not group_found:
+        sys.exit(f"Error: The target group {TARGET_GROUP} was not found.")
+
     # get a list of usernames
     for user in group.gr_mem:
         file.write(