diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp
index 36f034c655..cfb75d3735 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ void fmt_class_string<game_boot_result>::format(std::string& out, u64 arg)
 		case game_boot_result::install_failed: return "Game install failed";
 		case game_boot_result::decryption_error: return "Failed to decrypt content";
 		case game_boot_result::file_creation_error: return "Could not create important files";
+		case game_boot_result::firmware_missing: return "Firmware is missing";
 		}
 		return unknown;
 	});
@@ -901,6 +902,11 @@ game_boot_result Emulator::Load(const std::string& title_id, bool add_only, bool
 			sys_log.notice("Hdd1: %s", vfs::get("/dev_hdd1"));
 		}
 
+		if (!fs::is_file(g_cfg.vfs.get_dev_flash() + "sys/external/liblv2.sprx"))
+		{
+			return game_boot_result::firmware_missing;
+		}
+
 		// Special boot mode (directory scan)
 		if (!add_only && fs::is_dir(m_path))
 		{
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/System.h b/rpcs3/Emu/System.h
index 53304418ac..c6b67d4cf0 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/System.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/System.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ enum class game_boot_result : u32
 	install_failed,
 	decryption_error,
 	file_creation_error,
+	firmware_missing,
 };
 
 struct EmuCallbacks
diff --git a/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/main_window.cpp b/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/main_window.cpp
index adda14e549..4f36056ff0 100644
--- a/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/main_window.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/main_window.cpp
@@ -256,12 +256,15 @@ void main_window::show_boot_error(game_boot_result status)
 	case game_boot_result::file_creation_error:
 		message = tr("The emulator could not create files required for booting.");
 		break;
+	case game_boot_result::firmware_missing:
+		message = tr("Firmware has not been installed. Install firmware with the \"File > Install Firmware\" menu option.");
+		break;
 	case game_boot_result::generic_error:
 	default:
 		message = tr("Unknown error.");
 		break;
 	}
-	const QString link = tr("<br /><br />For information on how to dump your PS3 games, read the <a href=\"https://rpcs3.net/quickstart\">quickstart guide</a>.");
+	const QString link = tr("<br /><br />For information on setting up the emulator and dumping your PS3 games, read the <a href=\"https://rpcs3.net/quickstart\">quickstart guide</a>.");
 
 	QMessageBox msg;
 	msg.setWindowTitle(tr("Boot Failed"));