diff --git a/tools/device_management.py b/tools/device_management.py
index 78936346338..6674a526513 100644
--- a/tools/device_management.py
+++ b/tools/device_management.py
@@ -83,6 +83,9 @@ def inner(options):
                 app_name, output_ext
             ))
             options.payload = open(payload_name, "rb")
+        if not options.payload:
+            LOG.error("No Payload specified. Please use \"-t\" and \"-m\" or \"-p\" to specify a payload ")
+            exit(1)
         return func(options)
     return inner