diff --git a/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/host_room.cpp b/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/host_room.cpp
index 2a815fa2c4..8abe84f92e 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/host_room.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/host_room.cpp
@@ -111,6 +111,10 @@ void HostRoomWindow::Host() {
         NetworkMessage::ShowError(NetworkMessage::PORT_NOT_VALID);
         return;
     }
+    if (ui->game_list->currentIndex() == -1) {
+        NetworkMessage::ShowError(NetworkMessage::GAME_NOT_SELECTED);
+        return;
+    }
     if (auto member = Network::GetRoomMember().lock()) {
         if (member->GetState() == Network::RoomMember::State::Joining) {
             return;
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.cpp b/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.cpp
index 36e465acb5..28d692c1e3 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ const ConnectionError USERNAME_NOT_VALID_SERVER(
     QT_TR_NOOP("Username is already in use or not valid. Please choose another."));
 const ConnectionError IP_ADDRESS_NOT_VALID(QT_TR_NOOP("IP is not a valid IPv4 address."));
 const ConnectionError PORT_NOT_VALID(QT_TR_NOOP("Port must be a number between 0 to 65535."));
+const ConnectionError GAME_NOT_SELECTED(QT_TR_NOOP(
+    "You must choose a Preferred Game to host a room. If you do not have any games in your game "
+    "list yet, add a game folder by clicking on the plus icon in the game list."));
 const ConnectionError NO_INTERNET(
     QT_TR_NOOP("Unable to find an internet connection. Check your internet settings."));
 const ConnectionError UNABLE_TO_CONNECT(
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.h b/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.h
index 955b90847e..7b1caa5fd9 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.h
+++ b/src/citra_qt/multiplayer/message.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ extern const ConnectionError ROOMNAME_NOT_VALID;
 extern const ConnectionError USERNAME_NOT_VALID_SERVER;
 extern const ConnectionError IP_ADDRESS_NOT_VALID;
 extern const ConnectionError PORT_NOT_VALID;
+extern const ConnectionError GAME_NOT_SELECTED;
 extern const ConnectionError NO_INTERNET;
 extern const ConnectionError UNABLE_TO_CONNECT;
 extern const ConnectionError ROOM_IS_FULL;