diff --git a/src/libcamera/camera.cpp b/src/libcamera/camera.cpp
index ba8638009992170f..cbc34599d25e5ed5 100644
--- a/src/libcamera/camera.cpp
+++ b/src/libcamera/camera.cpp
@@ -423,12 +423,19 @@ int Camera::queueRequest(Request *request)
  *
  * \return 0 on success or a negative error code
  * \retval -EACCES The camera is not in a state where it can be started.
+ * \retval -EINVAL The camera is not configured.
  */
 int Camera::start()
 {
 	if (!stateIs(Acquired))
 		return -EACCES;
 
+	if (activeStreams_.empty()) {
+		LOG(Camera, Error)
+			<< "Can't start camera without configuration";
+		return -EINVAL;
+	}
+
 	LOG(Camera, Debug) << "Starting capture";
 
 	int ret = pipe_->start(this);