diff --git a/application.py b/application.py
index 9183e010..48fa28d6 100644
--- a/application.py
+++ b/application.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 from bottle import Bottle
 from setup.migrate_aide import migrate_aide
 from util.configDef import Config
-from modules import REGISTERED_MODULES
+from modules import REGISTERED_MODULES, Database
 from constants.version import AIDE_VERSION
 
 def _verify_unique(instances, moduleClass):
@@ -26,6 +26,58 @@ def _verify_unique(instances, moduleClass):
             if moduleClass.__class__.__name__ == instance.__class__.__name__:
                 raise Exception('Module {} already launched on this server.'.format(moduleClass.__class__.__name__))
 
+# load configuration
+config = Config()
+
+# check if config file points to unmigrated v1 project
+dbConnector = Database(config)
+hasAdminTable = dbConnector.execute('''
+        SELECT EXISTS (
+            SELECT FROM information_schema.tables 
+            WHERE table_schema = 'aide_admin'
+            AND table_name = 'project'
+        );
+    ''', None, 1)
+if not hasAdminTable[0]['exists']:
+    # not (yet) migrated, raise Exception with instructions to ensure compatibility
+    print(f'''
+The current installation of AIDE:
+    database host: {config.getProperty('Database', 'host')}
+    database name: {config.getProperty('Database', 'name')}
+    schema:        {config.getProperty('Database', 'schema', str, '(not specified)')}
+
+points to an installation of the legacy AIDE v1.
+If you wish to continue using AIDE v2, you have to upgrade the project accordingly.
+For instructions to do so, see here:
+    https://github.com/microsoft/aerial_wildlife_detection/blob/multiProject/doc/upgrade_from_v1.md
+    ''')
+    import sys
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+# check if project has been migrated
+dbSchema = config.getProperty('Database', 'schema', str, None)
+if dbSchema is not None:
+    isMigrated = dbConnector.execute('''
+            SELECT COUNT(*) AS cnt
+            FROM aide_admin.project
+            WHERE shortname = %s;
+        ''', (dbSchema,), 1)
+    if isMigrated is not None and len(isMigrated) and isMigrated[0]['cnt'] == 0:
+        print(f'''
+WARNING: the selected configuration .ini file
+("{os.environ['AIDE_CONFIG_PATH']}")
+points to a project that has not yet been migrated to AIDE v2.
+Details:
+    database host: {config.getProperty('Database', 'host')}
+    database name: {config.getProperty('Database', 'name')}
+    schema:        {dbSchema}
+
+If you wish to continue using AIDE v2 for this project, you have to upgrade it
+to v2 accordingly.
+For instructions to do so, see here:
+    https://github.com/microsoft/aerial_wildlife_detection/blob/multiProject/doc/upgrade_from_v1.md
+    ''')
+
 # bring AIDE up-to-date
 warnings, errors = migrate_aide()
 if len(warnings) or len(errors):
@@ -38,9 +90,6 @@ def _verify_unique(instances, moduleClass):
     for e in errors:
         print(f'\t"{e}"')
 
-# load configuration
-config = Config()
-
 # prepare bottle
 app = Bottle()
 
diff --git a/constants/version.py b/constants/version.py
index d6dacc71..c749dc83 100644
--- a/constants/version.py
+++ b/constants/version.py
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@
     2020 Benjamin Kellenberger
 '''
 
-AIDE_VERSION = '1.8.200717'
\ No newline at end of file
+AIDE_VERSION = '1.8.200817'
\ No newline at end of file