diff --git a/ec2/spark_ec2.py b/ec2/spark_ec2.py
index 880914e21cb3d..94b16d6233e76 100755
--- a/ec2/spark_ec2.py
+++ b/ec2/spark_ec2.py
@@ -678,6 +678,9 @@ def real_main():
     opts.zone = random.choice(conn.get_all_zones()).name
 
   if action == "launch":
+    if opts.slaves <= 0:
+      print "You have to start at least 1 slave"
+      sys.exit(1)
     if opts.resume:
       (master_nodes, slave_nodes) = get_existing_cluster(
           conn, opts, cluster_name)