diff --git a/runtime/tools/unicode.vim b/runtime/tools/unicode.vim
index 630a581..c289868 100644
--- a/runtime/tools/unicode.vim
+++ b/runtime/tools/unicode.vim
@@ -420,6 +420,10 @@
   finish
 endif
 
+if !exists("g:loaded_netrw")
+  echomsg "Netrw not available, cannot download"
+  finish
+endif
 
 " Try to avoid hitting E36
 set equalalways