diff --git a/src/viv/viv.py b/src/viv/viv.py
index 50fb70b..1af22c6 100755
--- a/src/viv/viv.py
+++ b/src/viv/viv.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ from typing import (
 from urllib.error import HTTPError
 from urllib.request import urlopen
 
-__version__ = "23.5a1-13-gbaad178"
+__version__ = "23.5a1-14-g9a76c5e"
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -974,6 +974,8 @@ class Viv:
         """create import statement from package spec"""
         # TODO: warn user about using anything but standalone when
         # self.local_source is 'Not Found'
+        if self.local_source == "Not Found" and not (args.standalone or args.path):
+            warn("failed to find local copy of `viv` make sure to add it to your PYTHONPATH")
 
         if not args.reqs:
             error("must specify a requirement", code=1)