diff --git a/scm/doc/TechGuide/chap_quick.rst b/scm/doc/TechGuide/chap_quick.rst
index cb1757461..729635666 100644
--- a/scm/doc/TechGuide/chap_quick.rst
+++ b/scm/doc/TechGuide/chap_quick.rst
@@ -501,7 +501,6 @@ To see the full list of available options, use the ``--help`` flag:
 
 The run script’s full set of options are described below, where optional abbreviations are included in brackets.
 If using the main branch, you should run the above command to ensure you have the most up-to-date list of options.
-There are no required arguments, but at least one of ``--case`` or ``--file`` must be specified.
 
 -  ``--case [-c]``
 
diff --git a/scm/src/run_scm.py b/scm/src/run_scm.py
index 93f09435f..76ffd51f3 100755
--- a/scm/src/run_scm.py
+++ b/scm/src/run_scm.py
@@ -195,6 +195,9 @@ def parse_arguments():
     mpi_command = args.mpi_command
     stop_on_error = args.stop_on_error
 
+    if not case and not file:
+        parser.error('Either "--case" or "--file" must be specified. Use "--help" for more information.')
+
     if not sdf:
         sdf = DEFAULT_SUITE