diff --git a/kapitan/cli.py b/kapitan/cli.py
index 44a5ac15f..112898cb0 100644
--- a/kapitan/cli.py
+++ b/kapitan/cli.py
@@ -176,6 +176,8 @@ def main():
                         secrets_reveal=args.reveal, gpg_obj=gpg_obj)
 
     elif cmd == 'inventory':
+        if args.pattern and args.target_name == '':
+            parser.error("--pattern requires --target_name")
         try:
             logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO, format="%(message)s")
             inv = inventory_reclass(args.inventory_path)