diff --git a/configure/modules/RULES_PATCH b/configure/modules/RULES_PATCH
index 55d70ab0275f64c6082c02df40b7b7942617c020..915f9fc3d4e8640e4065986f398db9896acb071f 100644
--- a/configure/modules/RULES_PATCH
+++ b/configure/modules/RULES_PATCH
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
 
 .PHONY: patch patchrevert
 
+.PHONY: check_for_old_patches
+check_for_old_patches:
+	$(if $(wildcard $(TOP)/patch/Site/$(E3_MODULE_VERSION_ORIG)-*.p0.patch),$(warning Warning: old-style patches detected. Please move them to patch/Site/$$E3_MODULE_VERSION.))
+
 
 ## Apply Patch Files 
-patch:
+patch: check_for_old_patches
 	$(QUIET) $(call patch_site)
 
 ## Revert Patch Files 
-patchrevert:
+patchrevert: check_for_old_patches
 	$(QUIET) $(call patch_revert_site)