diff --git a/src/ipaperftest/core/plugin.py b/src/ipaperftest/core/plugin.py
index f4133f1..a2dae02 100644
--- a/src/ipaperftest/core/plugin.py
+++ b/src/ipaperftest/core/plugin.py
@@ -245,6 +245,8 @@ def get_replica_parent(tree, child):
             replica_lines.extend(ipareplicas_group_lines)
             return replica_lines
 
+        if len(self.provider.hosts) == 0:
+            raise RuntimeError('No hosts were provisioned')
         replica_lines = (generate_replica_lines()
                          if ctx.params["replicas"] > 0
                          else ["[ipareplicas]"])