diff --git a/gradle-plugins/cordformation/src/main/groovy/net/corda/plugins/Cordform.groovy b/gradle-plugins/cordformation/src/main/groovy/net/corda/plugins/Cordform.groovy
index 50f87968c2..927130f425 100644
--- a/gradle-plugins/cordformation/src/main/groovy/net/corda/plugins/Cordform.groovy
+++ b/gradle-plugins/cordformation/src/main/groovy/net/corda/plugins/Cordform.groovy
@@ -132,6 +132,8 @@ class Cordform extends DefaultTask {
         }
         installRunScript()
         def networkMapNode = getNodeByName(networkMapNodeName)
+        if (networkMapNode == null)
+            throw new IllegalStateException("The networkMap property refers to a node that isn't configured ($networkMapNodeName)")
         nodes.each {
             if(it != networkMapNode) {
                 it.networkMapAddress(networkMapNode.getP2PAddress(), networkMapNodeName)