diff --git a/cli/internal/validate.go b/cli/internal/validate.go
index 3131825e2..a2a098282 100644
--- a/cli/internal/validate.go
+++ b/cli/internal/validate.go
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ func ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe {
 		if err := survey.AskOne(prompt, &recipeName); err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
 		}
-	} else {
+	}
+
+	if recipeName == "" {
 		ShowSubcommandHelpAndError(c, errors.New("no recipe provided"))
 	}