diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e096048..9d4fe63 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ async fn main() -> std::io::Result<()> {
 
 See [`bin/timestampvm`](timestampvm/src/bin/timestampvm/main.rs) for plugin implementation and [`tests/e2e`](tests/e2e/src/tests/mod.rs) for full end-to-end tests.
 
+## Dependencies
+
+- Latest version of stable Rust.
+- To build and test timestampvm you need [protoc](https://grpc.io/docs/protoc-installation/#install-pre-compiled-binaries-any-os) version >= 3.15.0.
+
 ## AvalancheGo Compatibility
 | Version(s) | AvalancheGo Version(s) |
 | --- | --- |
diff --git a/scripts/build.release.sh b/scripts/build.release.sh
index f9f95bb..5f4cf68 100755
--- a/scripts/build.release.sh
+++ b/scripts/build.release.sh
@@ -6,6 +6,12 @@ if ! [[ "$0" =~ scripts/build.release.sh ]]; then
   exit 255
 fi
 
+PROTOC_VERSION=$(protoc --version | cut -f2 -d' ')
+if [[ "${PROTOC_VERSION}" == "" ]] || [[ "${PROTOC_VERSION}" < 3.15.0 ]]; then
+  echo "protoc must be installed and the version must be greater than 3.15.0"
+  exit 255
+fi
+
 # "--bin" can be specified multiple times for each directory in "bin/*" or workspaces
 cargo build \
 --release \