diff --git a/src/pyinfrabox/infrabox/__init__.py b/src/pyinfrabox/infrabox/__init__.py
index 9652ecf20..6220f636e 100644
--- a/src/pyinfrabox/infrabox/__init__.py
+++ b/src/pyinfrabox/infrabox/__init__.py
@@ -508,6 +508,8 @@ def validate_json(d):
         return True
 
     jobs = {}
+    all_job_names = set([j['name'] for j in d['jobs']])
+    all_deps = {}
     for i in range(0, len(d['jobs'])):
         job = d['jobs'][i]
         job_name = job['name']
@@ -537,7 +539,7 @@ def validate_json(d):
             if job_name == parent_name:
                 raise ValidationError(path, "Job '%s' may not depend on itself" % parent_name)
 
-            if parent_name not in jobs:
+            if parent_name not in all_job_names:
                 raise ValidationError(path + ".depends_on", "Job '%s' not found" % parent_name)
 
             if parent_name in deps:
@@ -545,4 +547,15 @@ def validate_json(d):
 
             deps[parent_name] = True
 
+        if deps:
+            all_deps[job_name] = deps
+
+    for job_name, deps in all_deps.items():
+        queue = list(deps.keys())
+        for dep_job in queue:
+            if dep_job == job_name:
+                raise ValidationError("Jobs", "Circular dependency detected.")
+            if dep_job in all_deps:
+                queue.extend(all_deps[dep_job].keys())
+
     return True
diff --git a/src/pyinfrabox/tests/test_json.py b/src/pyinfrabox/tests/test_json.py
index f75f6e873..2abef1daf 100644
--- a/src/pyinfrabox/tests/test_json.py
+++ b/src/pyinfrabox/tests/test_json.py
@@ -43,7 +43,36 @@ def test_dep_defined_later(self):
             }]
         }
 
-        self.raises_expect(d, "#jobs[0].depends_on: Job 'compile' not found")
+        validate_json(d)
+
+    def test_dep_detect_circular_dependency(self):
+        d = {
+            "version": 1,
+            "jobs": [{
+                "type": "docker",
+                "name": "a",
+                "docker_file": "Dockerfile",
+                "resources": {"limits": {"cpu": 1, "memory": 1024}},
+                "build_only": False,
+                "depends_on": ["b"]
+            }, {
+                "type": "docker",
+                "name": "b",
+                "docker_file": "Dockerfile",
+                "build_only": False,
+                "depends_on": ["c"],
+                "resources": {"limits": {"cpu": 1, "memory": 1024}},
+            }, {
+                "type": "docker",
+                "name": "c",
+                "docker_file": "Dockerfile",
+                "build_only": False,
+                "depends_on": ["a"],
+                "resources": {"limits": {"cpu": 1, "memory": 1024}},
+            }]
+        }
+
+        self.raises_expect(d, "Jobs: Circular dependency detected.")
 
     def test_dep_not_found(self):
         d = {