diff --git a/esphome/__main__.py b/esphome/__main__.py
index 6d3705c87e..3ce116739b 100644
--- a/esphome/__main__.py
+++ b/esphome/__main__.py
@@ -188,6 +188,10 @@ def upload_program(config, args, host):
 
     from esphome import espota2
 
+    if CONF_OTA not in config:
+        raise EsphomeError("Cannot upload Over the Air as the config does not include the ota: "
+                           "component")
+
     ota_conf = config[CONF_OTA]
     remote_port = ota_conf[CONF_PORT]
     password = ota_conf[CONF_PASSWORD]