diff --git a/tools/bootstrap/python b/tools/bootstrap/python
index d0fa7258ff1..46b146961a0 100755
--- a/tools/bootstrap/python
+++ b/tools/bootstrap/python
@@ -25,6 +25,12 @@ PythonDir="$Cache/python-$PythonVersion"
 PythonExe="$PythonDir/python.exe"
 Log="$Cache/last-command.log"
 
+# function that prints an error message and exits
+error_exit() {
+    echo "If you are seeing this message, please try to fix it by running tools/hooks/install.(bat/sh) again."
+    exit 1
+}
+
 # If a portable Python for Windows is not present, search on $PATH.
 if [ "$(uname)" = "Linux" ] || [ ! -f "$PythonExe" ]; then
 	# Strip the "App Execution Aliases" from $PATH. Even if the user installed
@@ -55,7 +61,7 @@ if [ "$(uname)" = "Linux" ] || [ ! -f "$PythonExe" ]; then
 			echo "Please install Python from https://www.python.org/downloads/ or using your system's package manager."
 		fi
 		echo
-		exit 1
+		error_exit
 	fi
 
 	# Create a venv and activate it
@@ -70,7 +76,7 @@ if [ "$(uname)" = "Linux" ] || [ ! -f "$PythonExe" ]; then
 		PythonExe="$PythonDir/scripts/python3.exe";
 	else
 		echo "bootstrap/python failed to find the python executable inside its virtualenv"
-		exit 1
+		error_exit
 	fi
 fi