diff --git a/heat/engine/resources/software_config/software_component.py b/heat/engine/resources/software_config/software_component.py
index a63bf6f6f..952c3e8c1 100644
--- a/heat/engine/resources/software_config/software_component.py
+++ b/heat/engine/resources/software_config/software_component.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+from heat.common import exception
 from heat.engine import constraints as constr
 from heat.engine import properties
 from heat.engine import resource
@@ -135,6 +136,23 @@ class SoftwareComponent(sc.SoftwareConfig):
                 if self.client_plugin().is_not_found(ex):
                     return None
 
+    def validate(self):
+        '''Validate SoftwareComponent properties consistency.'''
+        super(SoftwareComponent, self).validate()
+
+        # One lifecycle action (e.g. CREATE) can only be associated with one
+        # config; otherwise a way to define ordering would be required.
+        configs = self.properties.get(self.CONFIGS, [])
+        config_actions = set()
+        for config in configs:
+            actions = config.get(self.CONFIG_ACTIONS)
+            if any(action in config_actions for action in actions):
+                msg = _('Defining more than one configuration for the same '
+                        'action in SoftwareComponent "%s" is not allowed.')\
+                    % self.name
+                raise exception.StackValidationFailed(message=msg)
+            config_actions.update(actions)
+
 
 def resource_mapping():
     return {
diff --git a/heat/tests/test_software_component.py b/heat/tests/test_software_component.py
index e63332cb0..b1af38a42 100644
--- a/heat/tests/test_software_component.py
+++ b/heat/tests/test_software_component.py
@@ -217,6 +217,44 @@ class SoftwareComponentValidationTest(HeatTestCase):
                  err_msg='actions length (0) is out of range '
                          '(min: 1, max: None)')
         ),
+        (
+            'multiple_configs_per_action_single',
+            dict(snippet='''
+                 component:
+                   type: OS::Heat::SoftwareComponent
+                   properties:
+                     configs:
+                       - actions: [CREATE]
+                         config: #!/bin/bash
+                         tool: script
+                       - actions: [CREATE]
+                         config: #!/bin/bash
+                         tool: script
+                 ''',
+                 err=exception.StackValidationFailed,
+                 err_msg='Defining more than one configuration for the same '
+                         'action in SoftwareComponent "component" is not '
+                         'allowed.')
+        ),
+        (
+            'multiple_configs_per_action_overlapping_list',
+            dict(snippet='''
+                 component:
+                   type: OS::Heat::SoftwareComponent
+                   properties:
+                     configs:
+                       - actions: [CREATE, UPDATE, RESUME]
+                         config: #!/bin/bash
+                         tool: script
+                       - actions: [UPDATE]
+                         config: #!/bin/bash
+                         tool: script
+                 ''',
+                 err=exception.StackValidationFailed,
+                 err_msg='Defining more than one configuration for the same '
+                         'action in SoftwareComponent "component" is not '
+                         'allowed.')
+        ),
     ]
 
     def setUp(self):