diff --git a/whipper/command/cd.py b/whipper/command/cd.py
index a9516e06..1e13aac5 100644
--- a/whipper/command/cd.py
+++ b/whipper/command/cd.py
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ def do(self):
 
         utils.load_device(self.device)
         utils.unmount_device(self.device)
+        # Exit and inform the user if there's no CD in the disk drive
+        if drive.get_cdrom_drive_status(self.device):  # rc == 1 means no disc
+            raise OSError("no CD detected, please insert one and retry")
 
         # first, read the normal TOC, which is fast
         self.ittoc = self.program.getFastToc(self.runner, self.device)
diff --git a/whipper/common/drive.py b/whipper/common/drive.py
index 21d02ff4..486be8b8 100644
--- a/whipper/common/drive.py
+++ b/whipper/common/drive.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 # along with whipper.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 import os
+from fcntl import ioctl
 
 import logging
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -69,3 +70,10 @@ def getDeviceInfo(path):
     _, vendor, model, release = device.get_hwinfo()
 
     return vendor, model, release
+
+
+def get_cdrom_drive_status(drive_path):
+    fd = os.open(drive_path, os.O_RDONLY | os.O_NONBLOCK)
+    rc = ioctl(fd, 0x5326)  # AKA 'CDROM_DRIVE_STATUS'
+    os.close(fd)
+    return rc