diff --git a/superset/common/query_context_processor.py b/superset/common/query_context_processor.py
index 003c174c2a17..8078868493b6 100644
--- a/superset/common/query_context_processor.py
+++ b/superset/common/query_context_processor.py
@@ -322,6 +322,16 @@ def processing_time_offsets(  # pylint: disable=too-many-locals
                 #  multi-dimensional charts
                 granularity = query_object.granularity
                 index = granularity if granularity in df.columns else DTTM_ALIAS
+                if not pd.api.types.is_datetime64_any_dtype(
+                    offset_metrics_df.get(index)
+                ):
+                    raise QueryObjectValidationError(
+                        _(
+                            "A time column must be specified "
+                            "when using a Time Comparison."
+                        )
+                    )
+
                 offset_metrics_df[index] = offset_metrics_df[index] - DateOffset(
                     **normalize_time_delta(offset)
                 )