diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9e8849f..7d05c3a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ options in the functions. Customization will be done entirely using a separate
 
 ## Requirements
 
-Neovim 0.7.0+ (for earlier versions, use the [nvim-0.5 branch](https://github.com/stevearc/dressing.nvim/tree/nvim-0.5))
+Neovim 0.8.0+ (for earlier versions, use the [nvim-0.7](https://github.com/stevearc/dressing.nvim/tree/nvim-0.7) or [nvim-0.5](https://github.com/stevearc/dressing.nvim/tree/nvim-0.5) branch)
 
 ## Screenshots
 
diff --git a/lua/dressing/init.lua b/lua/dressing/init.lua
index 3b76399..3f576c0 100644
--- a/lua/dressing/init.lua
+++ b/lua/dressing/init.lua
@@ -4,11 +4,18 @@ local M = {}
 
 M.setup = function(opts)
   require("dressing.config").update(opts)
-  patch.all()
+  M.patch()
 end
 
 ---Patch all the vim.ui methods
 M.patch = function()
+  if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.8") == 0 then
+    vim.notify_once(
+      "dressing has dropped support for Neovim <0.8. Please use the nvim-0.7 branch or upgrade Neovim",
+      vim.log.levels.ERROR
+    )
+    return
+  end
   patch.all()
 end