diff --git a/vlib/compiler/cheaders.v b/vlib/compiler/cheaders.v
index 2038e6ef7e..baa14c4ddf 100644
--- a/vlib/compiler/cheaders.v
+++ b/vlib/compiler/cheaders.v
@@ -15,7 +15,11 @@ CommonCHeaders = '
 #include <ctype.h>
 #include <locale.h> // tolower
 #include <sys/time.h>
-#include <unistd.h> // sleep	
+#include <unistd.h> // sleep
+#else
+#if defined(__MSVCRT_VERSION__) && __MSVCRT_VERSION__ < __MSVCR90_DLL
+#error Please upgrade your MinGW distribution to use msvcr90.dll or later.
+#endif
 #endif