diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/error-msg-no-baremetal-a583117ecd9836dc.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/error-msg-no-baremetal-a583117ecd9836dc.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9bb0908e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/error-msg-no-baremetal-a583117ecd9836dc.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    Add an error message if there are no bare metal nodes available in an
+    available or active state and with maintenance mode off.  Previously,
+    the message was misleading about missing control or compute flavor
+    having no profile associated.
diff --git a/tripleo_common/actions/validations.py b/tripleo_common/actions/validations.py
index 13c467a43..017f99de0 100644
--- a/tripleo_common/actions/validations.py
+++ b/tripleo_common/actions/validations.py
@@ -331,6 +331,16 @@ class VerifyProfilesAction(base.TripleOAction):
 
         bm_nodes = {node['uuid']: node for node in self.nodes
                     if node['provision_state'] in ('available', 'active')}
+
+        if not bm_nodes:
+            message = ('Error: There are no nodes in an available '
+                       'or active state and with maintenance mode off.')
+            return_value = {
+                'errors': [message],
+                'warnings': [],
+            }
+            return actions.Result(error=return_value)
+
         free_node_caps = {uu: self._node_get_capabilities(node)
                           for uu, node in bm_nodes.items()}