diff --git a/esphome/__main__.py b/esphome/__main__.py
index d9bdfb175b..d7f11feef9 100644
--- a/esphome/__main__.py
+++ b/esphome/__main__.py
@@ -185,7 +185,9 @@ def choose_upload_log_host(
             else:
                 resolved.append(device)
         if not resolved:
-            _LOGGER.error("All specified devices: %s could not be resolved.", defaults)
+            raise EsphomeError(
+                f"All specified devices {defaults} could not be resolved. Is the device connected to the network?"
+            )
         return resolved
 
     # No devices specified, show interactive chooser