diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Essentials.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Essentials.java
index 83cf99e9c..71835af21 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Essentials.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Essentials.java
@@ -136,6 +136,15 @@ public class Essentials extends JavaPlugin implements net.ess3.api.IEssentials {
     @Override
     public void onEnable() {
         try {
+            String serverString = Bukkit.getServer().getClass().getName();
+            for (int i = 1; i <= 7; i++) {
+                if (serverString.contains(".v1_" + i + "_R")) {
+                    throw new Error("Outdated server. This version of Essentials will only work on Bukkit 1.8 or higher.");
+                }
+            }
+            if (serverString.contains(".v1_8_R1.")) {
+                getLogger().warning("Detected Bukkit 1.8.0. Spawners will not work properly until you upgrade to 1.8.3 or higher.");
+            }
             LOGGER.setParent(this.getLogger());
             execTimer = new ExecuteTimer();
             execTimer.start();