diff --git a/catsit.sh b/catsit.sh
index bc18a46..0e2a7e1 100644
--- a/catsit.sh
+++ b/catsit.sh
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ shift $((OPTIND - 1))
 if ! [ -p "${CATSITD_PIPE}" ]; then
 	die "${CATSITD_PIPE} is not a named pipe"
 fi
+if ! [ -w "${CATSITD_PIPE}" ]; then
+	die "${CATSITD_PIPE} is not writable"
+fi
 
 [ $# -lt 1 ] && die 'action required'
 [ $# -lt 2 ] && die 'service name required'