diff --git a/lib/controller/checks.py b/lib/controller/checks.py
index 4a5298e0f..688280a27 100644
--- a/lib/controller/checks.py
+++ b/lib/controller/checks.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
 """
 
 import re
+import socket
 import time
 
 from lib.core.agent import agent
@@ -380,6 +381,14 @@ def checkRegexp():
         return False
 
 def checkConnection():
+    infoMsg = "testing if site exists"
+    logger.info(infoMsg)
+    try:
+        socket.gethostbyname(conf.hostname)
+    except socket.gaierror:
+        errMsg = "site '%s' does not exist" % conf.hostname
+        raise sqlmapConnectionException, errMsg
+
     infoMsg = "testing connection to the target url"
     logger.info(infoMsg)