diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go
index 95d6c04..ffb6770 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/modules.go
@@ -253,6 +253,13 @@ func moduleCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		if !ok {
 			return fmt.Errorf("this mesh knows no module %q; `module add` it first", module)
 		}
+		// The account is delivered as the module's own secret named broker; a module that declares
+		// none has nothing to read it with, and an account nothing reads is an orphan on the bus
+		// (novox/hq 04-ISSUES/078). Said before the account is made, not after.
+		if _, reads := m.OwnSecrets["broker"]; !reads {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s declares no own secret named broker, so there is nowhere to deliver "+
+				"an account; a module that speaks on the bus declares \"own-secrets\": {\"broker\": <path>}", module)
+		}
 
 		management, err := broker.ManagementFromEnvironment()
 		if err != nil {