diff --git a/manifest.jps b/manifest.jps
index 64b608a..04d774f 100644
--- a/manifest.jps
+++ b/manifest.jps
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ actions:
     - cmd[cp]: 
         user: root
         commands: 
+          - id "${settings.manage_username}" &>/dev/null || { echo "User ${settings.manage_username} does not exist"; exit 1; }
           - echo "${settings.manage_username}:${globals.custom_password}" | chpasswd
           - echo "Password changed for ${settings.manage_username}" >> /home/jelastic/add-sftp-user-addon/logs/script_output.log
     - if ("${response.exitStatus}" != "0"):