diff --git a/src/PhpSpreadsheet/Writer/Xls.php b/src/PhpSpreadsheet/Writer/Xls.php
index 1ca8921188..d60a415cb7 100644
--- a/src/PhpSpreadsheet/Writer/Xls.php
+++ b/src/PhpSpreadsheet/Writer/Xls.php
@@ -454,6 +454,9 @@ private function buildWorkbookEscher()
         // the BSE's (all the images)
         foreach ($this->spreadsheet->getAllsheets() as $sheet) {
             foreach ($sheet->getDrawingCollection() as $drawing) {
+                if (!extension_loaded('gd')) {
+                    throw new \RuntimeException('Saving images in xls requires gd extension');
+                }
                 if ($drawing instanceof \PhpOffice\PhpSpreadsheet\Worksheet\Drawing) {
                     $filename = $drawing->getPath();