diff --git a/src/c3nav/routing/api.py b/src/c3nav/routing/api.py
index 2cc11f6c..7d791b1c 100644
--- a/src/c3nav/routing/api.py
+++ b/src/c3nav/routing/api.py
@@ -124,6 +124,10 @@ class RoutingViewSet(ViewSet):
             data = {}
         else:
             data = request.data
+            if 'stations' not in data:
+                return Response({
+                    'errors': (_('stations is missing.'),),
+                }, status=400)
             stations_data = data['stations']
 
         try: