diff --git a/ci/build.sh b/ci/build.sh
index 93a3dc4..4fa8851 100644
--- a/ci/build.sh
+++ b/ci/build.sh
@@ -22,9 +22,19 @@ open -g $editorpath --args \
     -projectPath "$(pwd)/game"
 
 # wait for editor log to exist
+tries=30
+count=0
 while [ ! -f $editorlogpath ]
 do
     sleep 1
+
+    # decrement
+    count=`expr $count + 1`
+
+    if [ $count -eq $tries ] ; then
+        exit "early timeout - $tries seconds elapsed since launch attempt"
+        return 1
+    fi
 done
 
 # use a safe directory that is automatically removed by the shell when the script exists