diff --git a/main.php b/main.php
index 9f10da239..e294530cb 100644
--- a/main.php
+++ b/main.php
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ global $databaseConfig;
 // Redirect to the installer if no database is selected
 if(!isset($databaseConfig) || !isset($databaseConfig['database']) || !$databaseConfig['database']) {
 	if(!file_exists(BASE_PATH . '/install.php')) {
+		header($_SERVER['SERVER_PROTOCOL'] . " 500 Server Error");
 		die('SilverStripe Framework requires a $databaseConfig defined.');
 	}
 	$s = (isset($_SERVER['SSL']) || (isset($_SERVER['HTTPS']) && $_SERVER['HTTPS'] != 'off')) ? 's' : '';