diff --git a/hack/install_kustomize.sh b/hack/install_kustomize.sh
index 0b549ffb6..49e9a9d62 100755
--- a/hack/install_kustomize.sh
+++ b/hack/install_kustomize.sh
@@ -102,7 +102,14 @@ elif [[ "$OSTYPE" == darwin* ]]; then
   opsys=darwin
 fi
 
-RELEASE_URL=$(curl -s $release_url |\
+releases=$(curl -s $release_url)
+
+if [[ $releases == *"API rate limit exceeded"* ]]; then
+  echo "Github rate-limiter failed the request. Either authenticate or wait a couple of minutes."
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+RELEASE_URL=$(echo $releases |\
   grep browser_download.*${opsys}_${arch} |\
   cut -d '"' -f 4 |\
   sort -V | tail -n 1)