diff --git a/crates/cast/bin/cmd/send.rs b/crates/cast/bin/cmd/send.rs
index 512a3ea1e25d..25d8a1a0f9c8 100644
--- a/crates/cast/bin/cmd/send.rs
+++ b/crates/cast/bin/cmd/send.rs
@@ -89,12 +89,8 @@ impl SendTxArgs {
             command,
             unlocked,
         } = self;
-        let config = Config::from(&eth);
-        let provider = utils::get_provider(&config)?;
-        let chain = utils::get_chain(config.chain_id, &provider).await?;
-        let api_key = config.get_etherscan_api_key(Some(chain));
-        let mut sig = sig.unwrap_or_default();
 
+        let mut sig = sig.unwrap_or_default();
         let code = if let Some(SendTxSubcommands::Create {
             code,
             sig: constructor_sig,
@@ -108,10 +104,16 @@ impl SendTxArgs {
             None
         };
 
+        // ensure mandatory fields are provided
         if code.is_none() && to.is_none() {
-            eyre::bail!("Must specify a destination or contract code to deploy");
+            eyre::bail!("Must specify a recipient address or contract code to deploy");
         }
 
+        let config = Config::from(&eth);
+        let provider = utils::get_provider(&config)?;
+        let chain = utils::get_chain(config.chain_id, &provider).await?;
+        let api_key = config.get_etherscan_api_key(Some(chain));
+
         // Case 1:
         // Default to sending via eth_sendTransaction if the --unlocked flag is passed.
         // This should be the only way this RPC method is used as it requires a local node
diff --git a/crates/cast/tests/cli/main.rs b/crates/cast/tests/cli/main.rs
index 7b752e1ee618..76506d8d41c9 100644
--- a/crates/cast/tests/cli/main.rs
+++ b/crates/cast/tests/cli/main.rs
@@ -510,3 +510,17 @@ casttest!(cast_tx_raw, |_: TestProject, mut cmd: TestCommand| {
     let output2 = cmd.stdout_lossy();
     assert_eq!(output, output2);
 });
+
+// ensure receipt or code is required
+casttest!(cast_send_requires_to, |_: TestProject, mut cmd: TestCommand| {
+    cmd.args([
+        "send",
+        "--private-key",
+        "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001",
+    ]);
+    let output = cmd.stderr_lossy();
+    assert_eq!(
+        output.trim(),
+        "Error: \nMust specify a recipient address or contract code to deploy"
+    );
+});