diff --git a/notebook/static/notebook/js/main.js b/notebook/static/notebook/js/main.js
index d69d125bb..eee8709a2 100644
--- a/notebook/static/notebook/js/main.js
+++ b/notebook/static/notebook/js/main.js
@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ require([
     // BEGIN HARDCODED WIDGETS HACK
     // Don't include in above require call, avoiding r.js
     // and crash on import failure.
-    require(['nbextensions/widgets/notebook/js/extension'], function(){});
+    require(['nbextensions/widgets/notebook/js/extension'], function(){}, function(err) {
+        console.error('ipywidgets package not installed.  Widgets are not available.');
+    });
     // END HARDCODED WIDGETS HACK
 
     // compat with old IPython, remove for IPython > 3.0