diff --git a/assets/js/hugo_cookie_consent/cookie_consent.js b/assets/js/hugo_cookie_consent/cookie_consent.js
index 2573f97..b359e6e 100644
--- a/assets/js/hugo_cookie_consent/cookie_consent.js
+++ b/assets/js/hugo_cookie_consent/cookie_consent.js
@@ -1,7 +1,14 @@
 (function () {
   var KEY = 'cookie_consent';
   var banner = document.getElementById('cookie-banner');
-  if (!banner) return;
+  if (!banner) {
+    console.error(
+      '[hugo_cookie_consent] #cookie-banner not found in the DOM. ' +
+      'Did you include the hugo_cookie_consent/banner.html partial in your site\'s layout? ' +
+      'See the module README ("Installation in your Hugo site").'
+    );
+    return;
+  }
   updateStatus();
 
   var consent = localStorage.getItem(KEY);