diff --git a/sos/policies/distros/__init__.py b/sos/policies/distros/__init__.py
index bd6d812a0f..1ef9c4c7a6 100644
--- a/sos/policies/distros/__init__.py
+++ b/sos/policies/distros/__init__.py
@@ -905,6 +905,9 @@ def upload_s3(self, endpoint=None, region=None, bucket=None, prefix=None,
 
         :raises: Exception if upload is unsuccessful
         """
+        if not BOTO3_LOADED:
+            raise Exception("Unable to upload due to missing python boto3 "
+                            "library")
 
         if not endpoint:
             endpoint = self.get_upload_s3_endpoint()