diff --git a/modules/global-elements.xml b/modules/global-elements.xml
index 0ed98fb..89bbb30 100755
--- a/modules/global-elements.xml
+++ b/modules/global-elements.xml
@@ -157,6 +157,12 @@
 		@style: Additional formatting to apply to the due date when displayed. It should be a delimited list (it doesn't really matter what the delimiter is) containing one or more of the following values: "bold", "italic", "underline". Anything unrecognised is ignored.
 	-->
 	<template name="DueDate" match="DueDate">
+		<common>
+			<!-- There must be a due-date element for this to work! -->
+			<xsl:if test="not( /document/due-date )">
+				<xsl:message terminate="yes">The due date for this assignment has not been specified (use /document/due-date).</xsl:message>
+			</xsl:if>
+		</common>
 		<common formats="/latex/xelatex/">
 			<xsl:if test="contains( @style, 'bold' )">
 				<xsl:text>\textbf{</xsl:text>