diff --git a/antipolls/antipolls.py b/antipolls/antipolls.py
index 8834274..3ebd28b 100644
--- a/antipolls/antipolls.py
+++ b/antipolls/antipolls.py
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ class AntiPolls(commands.Cog):
             channel_whitelist=[],
             manage_messages=True,
         )
+        if not self.bot.intents.message_content:
+            self.logger.error("Message Content intent is not enabled, cog will not load.")
+            raise RuntimeError("This cog requires the Message Content intent to function. To prevent potentially destructive behavior, the cog will not load without the intent enabled.")
 
     def format_help_for_context(self, ctx: commands.Context) -> str:
         pre_processed = super().format_help_for_context(ctx) or ""