diff --git a/deepmd/entrypoints/train.py b/deepmd/entrypoints/train.py
index a99ce6eae8..1ff0cff02e 100755
--- a/deepmd/entrypoints/train.py
+++ b/deepmd/entrypoints/train.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import json
 import logging
 import time
+import os
 from typing import Dict, TYPE_CHECKING, List, Optional, Any
 
 import numpy as np
@@ -271,6 +272,22 @@ def get_data(jdata: Dict[str, Any], rcut, type_map, modifier):
     systems = j_must_have(jdata, "systems")
     if isinstance(systems, str):
         systems = expand_sys_str(systems)
+    help_msg = 'Please check your setting for data systems'
+    # check length of systems
+    if len(systems) == 0:
+        msg = 'cannot find valid a data system'
+        log.fatal(msg)
+        raise IOError(msg, help_msg)
+    # rougly check all items in systems are valid
+    for ii in systems:
+        if (not os.path.isdir(ii)):
+            msg = f'dir {ii} is not a valid dir'
+            log.fatal(msg)
+            raise IOError(msg, help_msg)
+        if (not os.path.isfile(os.path.join(ii, 'type.raw'))):
+            msg = f'dir {ii} is not a valid data system dir'
+            log.fatal(msg)
+            raise IOError(msg, help_msg)
 
     batch_size = j_must_have(jdata, "batch_size")
     sys_probs = jdata.get("sys_probs", None)