diff --git a/sshuttle/client.py b/sshuttle/client.py
index 9a0f15b..fae2931 100644
--- a/sshuttle/client.py
+++ b/sshuttle/client.py
@@ -557,6 +557,11 @@ def main(listenip_v6, listenip_v4,
          subnets_include, subnets_exclude, daemon, to_nameserver, pidfile,
          user, sudo_pythonpath):
 
+    if not remotename:
+        # XXX: We can't make it required at the argparse level,
+        #      because sshuttle calls out to itself in FirewallClient.
+        raise Fatal("You must specify -r/--remote.")
+
     if daemon:
         try:
             check_daemon(pidfile)