diff --git a/markup/email.py b/markup/email.py
index 9c04b95..60a70f7 100644
--- a/markup/email.py
+++ b/markup/email.py
@@ -31,6 +31,16 @@ Thanks,
 ProCatalog Markup Bot
 """
 
+body_no_matches = """Hi,
+
+I couldn't find any products marked in your pdf.  Make sure you're
+using a ProCatalog pdf and that you've circled or otherwise scribbled
+over some material images or SKUs before submitting.
+
+Thanks,
+ProCatalog Markup Bot
+"""
+
 
 def reply(frm, subj, xls_path, pdf_path):
     msg = EmailMessage()
@@ -57,6 +67,12 @@ def reply_missing(frm, subj):
     send(frm, subj, msg)
 
 
+def reply_no_matches(frm, subj):
+    msg = EmailMessage()
+    msg.set_content(body_no_matches)
+    send(frm, subj, msg)
+
+
 def send(frm, subj, msg):
     msg['From'] = 'Keen ProCatalog Markup Bot <support@procatalog.io>'
     msg['To'] = frm
diff --git a/markup/tasks.py b/markup/tasks.py
index a011257..bc0b6af 100644
--- a/markup/tasks.py
+++ b/markup/tasks.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ os.environ.setdefault('DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE', 'procat2.settings')
 django.setup()
 
 from .utils import clean_path, ensure_dir, set_file_perms, WORKDIR
-from .email import reply, reply_missing
+from .email import reply, reply_missing, reply_no_matches
 from .matching import find_marked_products
 from .spreadsheet import write_spreadsheet
 
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ def process_attachment(from_address, subject, attachment):
 
     # find matches
     matches = find_marked_products(pdf_path, workdir, debug=0)
+    if not matches:
+        print('no product matches')
+        reply_no_matches(from_address, subject)
+        return
+
     print(f'{len(matches)} product matches')
 
     # write spreadsheet