diff --git a/ipa_archive.py b/ipa_archive.py
index b42bd971..fc67afc3 100755
--- a/ipa_archive.py
+++ b/ipa_archive.py
@@ -417,9 +417,11 @@ def loadIpa(uid: int, url: str, *,
         app_name = None
         artwork = False
         zip_listing = zip.infolist()
+        has_payload_folder = False
 
         for entry in zip_listing:
             fn = entry.filename.lstrip('/')
+            has_payload_folder |= fn.startswith('Payload/')
             plist_match = re_info_plist.match(fn)
             if fn == 'iTunesArtwork':
                 extractZipEntry(zip, entry, img_path)
@@ -429,6 +431,10 @@ def loadIpa(uid: int, url: str, *,
                 if not image_only:
                     extractZipEntry(zip, entry, plist_path)
 
+        if not has_payload_folder:
+            print(f'ERROR: [{uid}] ipa has no "Payload/" root folder',
+                  file=stderr)
+
         # if no iTunesArtwork found, load file referenced in plist
         if not artwork and app_name and plist_path.exists():
             with open(plist_path, 'rb') as fp: