diff --git a/awx/__init__.py b/awx/__init__.py
index b9cc01174f..35322396b3 100644
--- a/awx/__init__.py
+++ b/awx/__init__.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ else:
     from django.db.backends.base import schema
     from django.db.models import indexes
     from django.db.backends.utils import names_digest
+    from django.db import connection
 
 
 if HAS_DJANGO is True:
@@ -149,6 +150,12 @@ def manage():
     from django.conf import settings
     from django.core.management import execute_from_command_line
 
+    # enforce the postgres version is equal to 12. if not, then terminate program with exit code of 1
+    if not MODE == 'development':
+        if (connection.pg_version // 10000) < 12:
+            sys.stderr.write("Postgres version 12 is required\n")
+            sys.exit(1)
+
     if len(sys.argv) >= 2 and sys.argv[1] in ('version', '--version'):  # pragma: no cover
         sys.stdout.write('%s\n' % __version__)
     # If running as a user without permission to read settings, display an