diff --git a/tests/programs.t b/tests/programs.t
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..da1ffca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/programs.t
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+#!/usr/bin/perl -w -I..
+#
+#  Test that we have several required programs present.
+#
+# Steve
+# --
+#
+
+use Test::More qw( no_plan );
+
+
+#
+#  Files that we want to use.
+#
+my @required = qw( /usr/sbin/debootstrap /bin/ls /bin/dd /bin/mount /bin/cp /bin/tar );
+
+#
+#  Files that we might wish to use.
+#
+my @optional = qw( /usr/bin/rpmstrap /usr/sbin/xm );
+
+
+
+#
+#  Test required programs
+#
+foreach my $file ( @required )
+{
+    ok( -x $file , "Required binary installed: $file" );
+}
+
+#
+#  Test optional programs - if they exist then we ensure they are
+# executable.  If they don't we'll not complain since they are optional.
+#
+foreach my $file ( @optional )
+{
+    if ( -e $file )
+    {
+        ok( -x $file , "Optional binary installed: $file" );
+    }
+}
+