diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 3c3bc5a0a..0946afe2c 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@
       "perMachine": true
     }
   },
+  "scripts": {
+    "start": "./node_modules/.bin/electron src/main"
+  },
   "devDependencies": {
     "devtron": "^1.4.0",
     "electron": "^1.7.9",
diff --git a/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/index.js b/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/index.js
index a55cf9187..df41581d9 100644
--- a/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/index.js
+++ b/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/index.js
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 import React from "react";
 import { connect } from "react-redux";
 import PublishForm from "./view";
+import { selectBalance } from "redux/selectors/wallet";
 
-export default connect(null, null)(PublishForm);
+const select = state => ({
+  balance: selectBalance(state),
+});
+
+export default connect(select, null)(PublishForm);
diff --git a/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/internal/channelSection.jsx b/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/internal/channelSection.jsx
index 203e90e74..49c560f65 100644
--- a/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/internal/channelSection.jsx
+++ b/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/internal/channelSection.jsx
@@ -48,11 +48,22 @@ class ChannelSection extends React.PureComponent {
 
   handleNewChannelBidChange(event) {
     this.setState({
-      newChannelBid: event.target.value,
+      newChannelBid: parseFloat(event.target.value),
     });
   }
 
   handleCreateChannelClick(event) {
+    const { balance } = this.props;
+    const { newChannelBid } = this.state;
+
+    if (newChannelBid > balance) {
+      this.refs.newChannelName.showError(
+        __("Unable to create channel due to insufficient funds.")
+      );
+
+      return;
+    }
+
     this.setState({
       creatingChannel: true,
     });
diff --git a/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/view.jsx b/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/view.jsx
index 75ac22d2b..deb16e248 100644
--- a/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/view.jsx
+++ b/src/renderer/js/component/publishForm/view.jsx
@@ -61,6 +61,15 @@ class PublishForm extends React.PureComponent {
   }
 
   handleSubmit() {
+    const { balance } = this.props;
+    const { bid } = this.state;
+
+    if (bid > balance) {
+      this.handlePublishError({ message: "insufficient funds" });
+
+      return;
+    }
+
     this.setState({
       submitting: true,
     });