diff --git a/pkg/openai/client.go b/pkg/openai/client.go
index 6ee8b1bd..a8b08076 100644
--- a/pkg/openai/client.go
+++ b/pkg/openai/client.go
@@ -72,6 +72,10 @@ func complete(opts ...Options) (result Options, err error) {
 		result.APIKey = key
 	}
 
+	if result.APIKey == "" {
+		return result, fmt.Errorf("OPENAI_API_KEY is not set. Please set the OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable")
+	}
+
 	return result, err
 }