diff --git a/examples/classifier_compression/compress_classifier.py b/examples/classifier_compression/compress_classifier.py
index c35c31b516639f5c439b07bd3ddedbe028de98f8..9b45391d860bef3c85061a9d690691e62205503a 100755
--- a/examples/classifier_compression/compress_classifier.py
+++ b/examples/classifier_compression/compress_classifier.py
@@ -145,9 +145,21 @@ def config_logger(experiment_name):
     msglogger.info('Log file for this run: ' + os.path.realpath(log_filename))
     return msglogger
 
+def check_pytorch_version():
+    if torch.__version__ < '0.4.0':
+        print("\nNOTICE:")
+        print("The Distiller \'master\' branch now requires at least PyTorch version 0.4.0 due to "
+              "PyTorch API changes which are not backward-compatible.\n"
+              "Please install PyTorch 0.4.0 or its derivative.\n"
+              "If you are using a virtual environment, do not forget to update it:\n"
+              "  1. Deactivate the old environment\n"
+              "  2. Install the new environment\n"
+              "  3. Activate the new environment")
+        exit(1)
 
 def main():
     global msglogger
+    check_pytorch_version()
     args = parser.parse_args()
     msglogger = config_logger(args.name)