diff --git a/bin/lib/check_reqs.js b/bin/lib/check_reqs.js
index 0b31a2a3..ffa35b65 100644
--- a/bin/lib/check_reqs.js
+++ b/bin/lib/check_reqs.js
@@ -82,9 +82,13 @@ module.exports.check_ant = function() {
 // Returns a promise. Called only by build and clean commands.
 module.exports.check_gradle = function() {
     var sdkDir = process.env['ANDROID_HOME'];
+    if (!sdkDir)
+        return Q.reject('Could not find gradle wrapper within Android SDK. Could not find Android SDK directory.\n' +
+            'Might need to install Android SDK or set up \'ANDROID_HOME\' env variable.');
+
     var wrapperDir = path.join(sdkDir, 'tools', 'templates', 'gradle', 'wrapper');
     if (!fs.existsSync(wrapperDir)) {
-        return Q.reject(new Error('Could not find gradle wrapper within android sdk. Might need to update your Android SDK.\n' +
+        return Q.reject(new Error('Could not find gradle wrapper within Android SDK. Might need to update your Android SDK.\n' +
             'Looked here: ' + wrapperDir));
     }
     return Q.when();
@@ -312,7 +316,7 @@ module.exports.check_all = function() {
             requirement.installed = true;
             requirement.metadata.version = version;
         }, function (err) {
-            requirement.metadata.reason = err;
+            requirement.metadata.reason = err instanceof Error ? err.message : err;
         });
     }, Q())
     .then(function () {