diff --git a/includes/flag_lists_handler_filter_template.inc b/includes/flag_lists_handler_filter_template.inc
index a39d829..5cc88a7 100644
--- a/includes/flag_lists_handler_filter_template.inc
+++ b/includes/flag_lists_handler_filter_template.inc
@@ -7,11 +7,27 @@ class flag_lists_handler_filter_template extends views_handler_filter_in_operato
   function get_value_options() {
     if (!isset($this->value_options)) {
       $this->value_title = t('List templates');
+      $this->value_options = array();
       $templates = flag_lists_get_templates();
-      foreach ($templates as $template) {
-        $options[$template->name] = $template->name;
+      if (empty($templates)) {
+         drupal_set_message(
+           t('No templates found, create a flag lists <a href="@url">template</a>',
+           array('@url' => url('/admin/structure/flags/lists/template') )),
+           'info');
+      }
+      else if ($templates['0'] === FALSE) {
+         drupal_set_message(
+           t('No enabled template found, enable the built in flag lists <a href="@url">template</a>',
+           array('@url' => url('/admin/structure/flags/manage/fl_template') )),
+           'warning');
+      }
+      else {
+        foreach ($templates as $template) {
+          $options[$template->name] = $template->name;
+        }
+        $this->value_options = $options;
       }
-      $this->value_options = $options;
     }
+    return $this->value_options;
   }
 }