diff --git a/cmd/cosign/cli/pkcs11cli/commands.go b/cmd/cosign/cli/pkcs11cli/commands.go
index fd356515c03..6d4609f5161 100644
--- a/cmd/cosign/cli/pkcs11cli/commands.go
+++ b/cmd/cosign/cli/pkcs11cli/commands.go
@@ -205,6 +205,9 @@ func GetKeysInfo(_ context.Context, modulePath string, slotID uint, pin string)
 }
 
 func ListTokensCmd(ctx context.Context, modulePath string) error {
+	if modulePath == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("please specify --module-path or set COSIGN_PKCS11_MODULE_PATH")
+	}
 	tokens, err := GetTokens(ctx, modulePath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -223,6 +226,9 @@ func ListTokensCmd(ctx context.Context, modulePath string) error {
 }
 
 func ListKeysUrisCmd(ctx context.Context, modulePath string, slotID uint, pin string) error {
+	if modulePath == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("please specify --module-path or set COSIGN_PKCS11_MODULE_PATH")
+	}
 	keysInfo, err := GetKeysInfo(ctx, modulePath, slotID, pin)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err