diff --git a/src/main/python/main_window.py b/src/main/python/main_window.py
index cfd9220..387aff0 100644
--- a/src/main/python/main_window.py
+++ b/src/main/python/main_window.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from keymaps import KEYMAPS
 from layout_editor import LayoutEditor
 from macro_recorder import MacroRecorder
 from unlocker import Unlocker
-from util import tr, find_vial_devices
+from util import tr, find_vial_devices, EXAMPLE_KEYBOARDS
 from vial_device import VialKeyboard
 
 import themes
@@ -216,6 +216,11 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             else:
                 self.current_device.open(None)
 
+            if isinstance(self.current_device, VialKeyboard) \
+                    and self.current_device.keyboard.keyboard_id in EXAMPLE_KEYBOARDS:
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, "", "An example keyboard UID was detected.\n"
+                                              "Please change your keyboard UID to be unique before you ship!")
+
         self.rebuild()
 
         self.refresh_tabs()
diff --git a/src/main/python/util.py b/src/main/python/util.py
index a89e5f7..1c020ae 100644
--- a/src/main/python/util.py
+++ b/src/main/python/util.py
@@ -19,6 +19,14 @@ VIBL_SERIAL_NUMBER_MAGIC = "vibl:d4f8159c"
 
 MSG_LEN = 32
 
+# these should match what we have in vial-qmk/keyboards/vial_example
+# so that people don't accidentally reuse a sample keyboard UID
+EXAMPLE_KEYBOARDS = [
+    0xD4A36200603E3007,  # vial_stm32f103_vibl
+    0x32F62BC2EEF2237B,  # vial_atmega32u4
+    0x38CEA320F23046A5,  # vial_stm32f072
+]
+
 
 def hid_send(dev, msg, retries=1):
     if len(msg) > MSG_LEN: