diff --git a/src/newusers.c b/src/newusers.c
index ae2224fc..d6b7c3c3 100644
--- a/src/newusers.c
+++ b/src/newusers.c
@@ -662,6 +662,13 @@ static void process_flags (int argc, char **argv)
 		case 's':
 			sflg = true;
                         bad_s = 0;
+
+			if (!crypt_method){
+				fprintf(stderr,
+						_("%s: Provide '--crypt-method'\n"),
+						Prog);
+				usage (EXIT_FAILURE);
+			}
 #if defined(USE_SHA_CRYPT)
 			if (  (   ((0 == strcmp (crypt_method, "SHA256")) || (0 == strcmp (crypt_method, "SHA512")))
 			       && (0 == getlong(optarg, &sha_rounds)))) {