diff --git a/doc/makepanda/newmakepanda.bat b/doc/makepanda/newmakepanda.bat
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..97808d9024
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/makepanda/newmakepanda.bat
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+@echo off
+
+REM
+REM Verify that we can find the 'makepanda' python script
+REM and the python interpreter.  If we can find both, then
+REM run 'makepanda'.
+REM
+
+if not exist makepanda\makepanda.py goto :missing1
+if not exist thirdparty\win-python\python.exe goto :missing2
+thirdparty\win-python\python.exe makepanda\newmakepanda.py %*
+if errorlevel 1 if x%1 == x--slavebuild exit 1
+goto done
+
+:missing1
+  echo You need to change directory to the root of the panda source tree
+  echo before invoking makepanda.  For further install instructions, read 
+  echo the installation instructions in the file doc/INSTALL-MK.
+  goto done
+
+:missing2
+  echo You seem to be missing the 'thirdparty' directory.  You probably checked
+  echo the source code out from sourceforge.  The sourceforge repository is
+  echo missing the 'thirdparty' directory.  You will need to supplement the
+  echo code by downloading the 'thirdparty' directory from panda3d.etc.cmu.edu
+  goto done
+
+:done