diff --git a/scripts/new_release b/scripts/new_release
index 59dbfac8..efbd327b 100755
--- a/scripts/new_release
+++ b/scripts/new_release
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+if [ $# != 1]
+then
+	echo "Usage: scripts/new_release BRANCH_NAME"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
 NAME=$1
 echo "Creating new release: $NAME"