diff --git a/podman_compose.py b/podman_compose.py
index 7a08f57..d135f62 100755
--- a/podman_compose.py
+++ b/podman_compose.py
@@ -797,11 +797,20 @@ class PodmanCompose:
                 podman_path = os.path.realpath(podman_path)
             else:
                 # this also works if podman hasn't been installed now
-                if dry_run == False:
+                if args.dry_run == False:
                     raise IOError(
                         "Binary {} has not been found.".format(podman_path))
-
         self.podman = Podman(self, podman_path, args.dry_run)
+        if not args.dry_run:
+            # just to make sure podman is running
+            try:
+                self.podman_version = self.podman.output(["--version"]).decode('utf-8').strip()
+            except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
+                self.podman_version = None
+            if not self.podman_version:
+                sys.stderr.write('it seems that you do not useable `podman`\n')
+                exit(-1)
+            print("using podman version: "+self.podman_version)
         cmd_name = args.command
         cmd = self.commands[cmd_name]
         cmd(self, args)