Index: pym/_emerge/__init__.py
===================================================================
--- pym/_emerge/__init__.py	(revision 13353)
+++ pym/_emerge/__init__.py	(working copy)
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 from collections import deque
 import fcntl
 import formatter
+import glob
 import logging
 import pwd
 import select
@@ -15714,6 +15715,16 @@
 
 	apply_priorities(settings)
 
+	vdb_path = os.path.join(trees[settings["ROOT"]]["root_config"].trees["vartree"].root, portage.VDB_PATH)
+	base, tail = os.path.split(vdb_path)
+	if not os.access(os.path.join(base, "." + tail + ".portage_lockfile"), os.F_OK):
+		merging_directories = glob.glob(os.path.join(vdb_path, "*", "-MERGING-*"))
+		if merging_directories:
+			print colorize("BAD", "!!! -MERGING- directories have been found:\n")
+			for dir in merging_directories:
+				print colorize("BAD", "    " + dir)
+			print colorize("BAD", "\n!!! Please remove these directories and reinstall appropriate packages.")
+
 	spinner = stdout_spinner()
 	if "candy" in settings.features:
 		spinner.update = spinner.update_scroll