diff --git a/docs/samples/generic_plot.kiplot.yaml b/docs/samples/generic_plot.kiplot.yaml
index eed3be33..a57fd480 100644
--- a/docs/samples/generic_plot.kiplot.yaml
+++ b/docs/samples/generic_plot.kiplot.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 kiplot:
   version: 1
 
+preflight:
+
+  # one day....
+  check_zone_fills: false
+  run_drc: false
+
 outputs:
 
   - name: 'gerbers'
diff --git a/kiplot/config_reader.py b/kiplot/config_reader.py
index 8b00b710..5924796f 100644
--- a/kiplot/config_reader.py
+++ b/kiplot/config_reader.py
@@ -437,6 +437,16 @@ class CfgYamlReader(CfgReader):
 
         return o_cfg
 
+    def _parse_preflight(self, pf, cfg):
+
+        logging.debug("Parsing preflight options: {}".format(pf))
+
+        if 'check_zone_fills' in pf:
+            cfg.check_zone_fills = pf['check_zone_fills']
+
+        if 'run_drc' in pf:
+            cfg.run_drc = pf['run_drc']
+
     def read(self, fstream):
         """
         Read a file object into a config object
@@ -452,13 +462,11 @@ class CfgYamlReader(CfgReader):
 
         self._check_version(data)
 
-        try:
-            outdir = data['options']['basedir']
-        except KeyError:
-            outdir = ""
-
         cfg = PC.PlotConfig()
 
+        if 'preflight' in data:
+            self._parse_preflight(data['preflight'], cfg)
+
         for o in data['outputs']:
 
             op_cfg = self._parse_output(o)
diff --git a/kiplot/kiplot.py b/kiplot/kiplot.py
index 12e5de2c..4700acaf 100644
--- a/kiplot/kiplot.py
+++ b/kiplot/kiplot.py
@@ -29,12 +29,15 @@ class Plotter(object):
         self.cfg = cfg
 
     def plot(self, brd_file):
+
         logging.debug("Starting plot of board {}".format(brd_file))
 
         board = pcbnew.LoadBoard(brd_file)
 
         logging.debug("Board loaded")
 
+        self._preflight_checks(board)
+
         for op in self.cfg.outputs:
 
             logging.debug("Processing output: {}".format(op.name))
@@ -54,6 +57,16 @@ class Plotter(object):
 
             pc.ClosePlot()
 
+    def _preflight_checks(self, board):
+
+        logging.debug("Preflight checks")
+
+        if self.cfg.check_zone_fills:
+            raise PlotError("Not sure if Python scripts can do zone check!")
+
+        if self.cfg.run_drc:
+            raise PlotError("Not sure if Python scripts can run DRC!")
+
     def _output_is_layer(self, output):
 
         return output.options.type in [
diff --git a/kiplot/plot_config.py b/kiplot/plot_config.py
index 6d324dc0..784fb293 100644
--- a/kiplot/plot_config.py
+++ b/kiplot/plot_config.py
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@ class LayerOptions(TypeOptions):
         """
         if self._supports_line_width:
             self._line_width = pcbnew.FromMM(value)
-            print("Set LW %d" % self._line_width)
         else:
             raise KiPlotConfigurationError(
                 "This output doesn't support setting line width")
@@ -441,6 +440,9 @@ class PlotConfig(object):
         self._outputs = []
         self.outdir = None
 
+        self.check_zone_fills = False
+        self.run_drc = False
+
     def add_output(self, new_op):
         self._outputs.append(new_op)