diff --git a/config/nom_build.py b/config/nom_build.py
index 1f8bdc920..10bff3a06 100644
--- a/config/nom_build.py
+++ b/config/nom_build.py
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@ GRADLE_FLAGS = [
                'Specify a task to be excluded from execution.',
                True),
 ]
+
 def generate_gradle_properties() -> str:
     """Returns the expected contents of gradle.properties."""
     out = io.StringIO()
@@ -270,7 +271,7 @@ def generate_gradle_properties() -> str:
 def get_root() -> str:
     """Returns the root of the nomulus build tree."""
     cur_dir = os.getcwd()
-    if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(cur_dir, '.git')) or \
+    if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(cur_dir, 'buildSrc')) or \
        not os.path.exists(os.path.join(cur_dir, 'core')) or \
        not os.path.exists(os.path.join(cur_dir, 'gradle.properties')):
         raise Exception('You must run this script from the root directory')