diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/onboarding/steps/sync_xos.py b/xos/synchronizers/onboarding/steps/sync_xos.py
index dec7a34..567e0ad 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/onboarding/steps/sync_xos.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/onboarding/steps/sync_xos.py
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@
     def sync_record(self, xos):
         logger.info("Sync'ing XOS %s" % xos)
 
+        if not xos.docker_project_name:
+            raise Exception("xos.docker_project_name is not set")
+
         if (not xos.enable_build):
             raise DeferredException("XOS build is currently disabled")