diff --git a/qpkg/gobble.c b/qpkg/gobble.c
index 3c9dfa4..a64f750 100644
--- a/qpkg/gobble.c
+++ b/qpkg/gobble.c
@@ -92,10 +92,29 @@
 #define	DONE goto done
 
 
-static void compact_pkg(struct pkg *new, struct jrb *jrb)
+static void finish_pkg(struct pkg *new, struct jrb *jrb)
 {
 	struct pkg *old;
 
+	if (!new->version) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "package %.*s has no version\n",
+		    ID2PF(new->id));
+		exit(1);
+	}
+	if (!new->arch) {
+		fprintf(stderr,
+		    "package %.*s version %.*s has no architecture\n",
+		    ID2PF(new->id), ID2PF(new->version));
+		exit(1);
+	}
+	if (!new->filename && !(new->flags & QPKG_INSTALLED)) {
+		fprintf(stderr,
+		    "package %.*s version %.*s has no file name "
+		    "(nor is it installed)\n",
+		    ID2PF(new->id), ID2PF(new->version));
+		exit(1);
+	}
+
 	for (old = new->more; old; old = old->more)
 		if (old->version == new->version)
 			goto compact;
@@ -280,7 +299,7 @@ depends:
 
 package:
 	if (pkg)
-		compact_pkg(pkg, jrb);
+		finish_pkg(pkg, jrb);
 
 	WHITESPACE;
 	pkg = alloc_type(struct pkg);
@@ -407,7 +426,7 @@ list_with_version:
 
 done:
 	if (pkg)
-		compact_pkg(pkg, jrb);
+		finish_pkg(pkg, jrb);
 	return;
 
 fail: