diff --git a/src/qibolab/instruments/qm/controller.py b/src/qibolab/instruments/qm/controller.py
index abbb6f5d3..c7d7871de 100644
--- a/src/qibolab/instruments/qm/controller.py
+++ b/src/qibolab/instruments/qm/controller.py
@@ -288,6 +288,10 @@ def execute_program(self, program):
         Args:
             program: QUA program.
         """
+        if self.manager is None:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "Quantum Machines are not connected. Please use ``platform.connect()``."
+            )
         machine = self.manager.open_qm(self.config.__dict__)
         return machine.execute(program)