diff --git a/math/py-numpy/Makefile b/math/py-numpy/Makefile
index 6b5706697d22..0b72aaf4e2c3 100644
--- a/math/py-numpy/Makefile
+++ b/math/py-numpy/Makefile
@@ -56,9 +56,14 @@ DISTFILES+=	${FP_ARCH}/fenv.c?p=203441:fp ${FP_ARCH}/fenv.h?p=203441:fp
 
 .if ${PORT_OPTIONS:MATLAS}
 LIB_DEPENDS+=	atlas.2:${PORTSDIR}/math/atlas
-.if !exists(${LOCALBASE}/lib/libalapack.a)
-IGNORE=	atlas needs to be built with WITH_STATIC for numpy to function properly
-.endif
+BUILD_DEPENDS+=	${LOCALBASE}/lib/libalapack.a
+@${ECHO_MSG}
+@${ECHO_MSG} "Atlas *must* be built with the WITH_STATIC option"
+@${ECHO_MSG} "for numpy to function correctly. Ensure it is"
+@${ECHO_MSG} "selected in the configuration dialog when prompted, or"
+@${ECHO_MSG} "Ctrl-C now and reinstall the atlas port with the option"
+@${ECHO_MSG} "enabled.
+sleep 5
 .else
 LIB_DEPENDS+=	lapack.4:${PORTSDIR}/math/lapack \
 		blas.2:${PORTSDIR}/math/blas