diff --git a/web/settings.gradle.kts b/web/settings.gradle.kts
index aede7d682c..7519819a85 100644
--- a/web/settings.gradle.kts
+++ b/web/settings.gradle.kts
@@ -26,7 +26,11 @@ pluginManagement {
 
 fun module(name: String, path: String) {
     include(name)
-    project(name).projectDir = file(path)
+    val projectPath = file(path)
+    if (!projectPath.exists()) {
+        throw AssertionError("file $path does not exist")
+    }
+    project(name).projectDir = projectPath
 }