diff --git a/lib/py/setup.py b/lib/py/setup.py
index ca77ec08ad..75182d38fd 100644
--- a/lib/py/setup.py
+++ b/lib/py/setup.py
@@ -149,6 +149,12 @@ def run_setup(with_binary):
     print()
     print('*' * 80)
     print("An error occurred while trying to compile with the C extension enabled")
+
+    if os.environ.get('CIBUILDWHEEL') == '1':
+        print('Refusing to build a release wheel without the C extension')
+        print('*' * 80)
+        raise
+
     print("Attempting to build without the extension now")
     print('*' * 80)
     print()