diff --git a/artiq/frontend/novatech409b_controller.py b/artiq/frontend/novatech409b_controller.py
index 8eb6b280a..d3c5ddf75 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/novatech409b_controller.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/novatech409b_controller.py
@@ -31,6 +31,11 @@ def main():
     args = get_argparser().parse_args()
     init_logger(args)
 
+    if not args.simulation and args.device is None:
+        raise ValueError("You need to specify either --simulation or "
+                         "-d/--device argument. Use --help for more "
+                         "information.")
+
     dev = Novatech409B(args.device if not args.simulation else None)
     try:
         simple_server_loop(
diff --git a/artiq/frontend/pdq2_controller.py b/artiq/frontend/pdq2_controller.py
index 9a9885565..95b86caa5 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/pdq2_controller.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/pdq2_controller.py
@@ -27,6 +27,12 @@ def main():
     args = get_argparser().parse_args()
     init_logger(args)
     port = None
+
+    if not args.simulation and args.device is None:
+        raise ValueError("You need to specify either --simulation or "
+                         "-d/--device argument. Use --help for more "
+                         "information.")
+
     if args.simulation:
         port = open(args.dump, "wb")
     dev = Pdq2(url=args.device, dev=port)
diff --git a/artiq/frontend/pxi6733_controller.py b/artiq/frontend/pxi6733_controller.py
index 1c4a5ce64..1307bede2 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/pxi6733_controller.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/pxi6733_controller.py
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@ def main():
     args = get_argparser().parse_args()
     init_logger(args)
 
+    if not args.simulation and args.channels is None:
+        raise ValueError("You need to specify either --simulation or "
+                         "-C/--channels argument. Use --help for more "
+                         "information.")
+
     if args.simulation:
         daq = DAQmxSim()
     else:
diff --git a/artiq/frontend/thorlabs_tcube_controller.py b/artiq/frontend/thorlabs_tcube_controller.py
index c8766dd6c..fd879d0a5 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/thorlabs_tcube_controller.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/thorlabs_tcube_controller.py
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ def main():
     args = get_argparser().parse_args()
     init_logger(args)
 
+    if not args.simulation and args.device is None:
+        raise ValueError("You need to specify either --simulation or "
+                         "-d/--device argument. Use --help for more "
+                         "information.")
+
     if args.simulation:
         if args.product == "TDC001":
             dev = TdcSim()