diff --git a/internal/filter/semver/semver.go b/internal/filter/semver/semver.go
index 9345685..313046a 100644
--- a/internal/filter/semver/semver.go
+++ b/internal/filter/semver/semver.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package semver
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"regexp"
 	"sort"
 	"strconv"
@@ -71,6 +72,9 @@ func New(prefix string, arg string) (filter filter.Filter, err error) {
 	if prefix != Name && prefix != "" {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
+	if arg == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("needs a contraint or version pattern argument")
+	}
 
 	constraint, err = mmsemver.NewConstraint(arg)
 	if prefix == Name {
diff --git a/internal/pipeline/testdata/semver b/internal/pipeline/testdata/semver
index bebc8ba..43c05cc 100644
--- a/internal/pipeline/testdata/semver
+++ b/internal/pipeline/testdata/semver
@@ -22,3 +22,6 @@ semver:vn.n.n.n -> semver:vn.n.n.n
 
 n -> error:no filter matches
 n. -> error:no filter matches
+
+semver -> error:no filter matches
+semver: -> error:needs a contraint or version pattern argument