diff --git a/makefiles/utils/checks.mk b/makefiles/utils/checks.mk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8df6c8435d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/makefiles/utils/checks.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# Utilities to produce errors inside Make
+# Use this functions to produce friendlier error messages.
+
+# Produce an error if the value is empty
+#
+# Parameters
+#	value: a string which should not be empty
+#	message: The error message to display.
+# Returns:
+#	the first argument, if it is not empty.
+ensure_value = $(if $(1),$(1),$(error $(2)))