diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index a884a73..55175ee 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -826,13 +826,21 @@ class Package(db.Model):
 		else:
 			raise Exception("Permission {} is not related to packages".format(perm.name))
 
+	def getMissingHardDependenciesQuery(self):
+		return MetaPackage.query \
+			.filter(~ MetaPackage.packages.any(state=PackageState.APPROVED)) \
+			.filter(MetaPackage.dependencies.any(optional=False, depender=self)) \
+			.order_by(db.asc(MetaPackage.name))
+
+	def getMissingHardDependencies(self):
+		return [mp.name for mp in self.getMissingHardDependenciesQuery().all()]
 
 	def canMoveToState(self, user, state):
 		if not user.is_authenticated:
 			return False
 
 		if type(state) == str:
-			state = PackageState[perm]
+			state = PackageState[state]
 		elif type(state) != PackageState:
 			raise Exception("Unknown state given to Package.canMoveToState()")
 
@@ -845,8 +853,10 @@ class Package(db.Model):
 			if not self.checkPerm(user, requiredPerm):
 				return False
 
-			if state == PackageState.APPROVED and \
-					("Other" in self.license.name or "Other" in self.media_license.name):
+			if state == PackageState.APPROVED and  ("Other" in self.license.name or "Other" in self.media_license.name):
+				return False
+
+			if self.getMissingHardDependenciesQuery().count() > 0:
 				return False
 
 			needsScreenshot = \
diff --git a/app/templates/macros/package_approval.html b/app/templates/macros/package_approval.html
index ef71b31..8423728 100644
--- a/app/templates/macros/package_approval.html
+++ b/app/templates/macros/package_approval.html
@@ -29,9 +29,14 @@
 			A release is required before this package can be approved.
 		{% endif %}
 	{% endset %}
+
 {% elif (package.type == package.type.GAME or package.type == package.type.TXP) and package.screenshots.count() == 0 %}
 	{% set message = "You need to add at least one screenshot." %}
 
+{% elif package.getMissingHardDependenciesQuery().count() > 0 %}
+	{% set deps = package.getMissingHardDependencies() | join(", ") %}
+	{% set message = "The following hard dependencies need to be added to ContentDB first: " + deps %}
+
 {% elif topic_error_lvl == "danger" %}
 {% elif package.state == package.state.READY_FOR_REVIEW and ("Other" in package.license.name or "Other" in package.media_license.name) %}
 	{% set message = "Please wait for the license to be added to CDB." %}