diff --git a/gradient/cli/experiments.py b/gradient/cli/experiments.py
index 432f99a2..fb53e919 100644
--- a/gradient/cli/experiments.py
+++ b/gradient/cli/experiments.py
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ def common_experiments_create_options(f):
             "--workspace",
             "workspace",
             help="Path to workspace directory, archive, S3 or git repository",
+            default="none",
             cls=common.GradientOption,
         ),
         click.option(
diff --git a/gradient/commands/experiments.py b/gradient/commands/experiments.py
index 1781b8bd..724ef10f 100644
--- a/gradient/commands/experiments.py
+++ b/gradient/commands/experiments.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 import six
 import terminaltables
 from click import style
+from halo import halo
+
 from gradient import api_sdk, exceptions, TensorboardClient
 from gradient.api_sdk import constants, sdk_exceptions
 from gradient.api_sdk.config import config
@@ -13,7 +15,6 @@
 from gradient.commands.common import BaseCommand, ListCommandMixin, DetailsCommandMixin
 from gradient.logger import Logger
 from gradient.utils import get_terminal_lines, none_strings_to_none_objects
-from halo import halo
 
 try:
     # Python 3
@@ -106,6 +107,10 @@ def get_instance_url(self, instance_id, project_id):
 
     def _handle_workspace(self, instance_dict):
         handler = self.workspace_handler.handle(instance_dict)
+
+        if (instance_dict.get("cluster_id") or instance_dict.get("use_vpc")) and handler.lower() == "none":
+            raise click.UsageError('Missing option "--workspace" is required for VPC experiments')
+
         instance_dict.pop("ignore_files", None)
         instance_dict.pop("workspace", None)
         instance_dict.pop("workspace_archive", None)