diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index e2f362937..e4ca5850e 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ _cur_conf = None
 _conf_schema = {
     'type': 'object',
     'properties': {
-        'max_open_trades': {'type': 'integer'},
+        'max_open_trades': {'type': 'integer', 'minimum': 1},
         'stake_currency': {'type': 'string'},
         'stake_amount': {'type': 'number', 'minimum': 0.0005},
         'dry_run': {'type': 'boolean'},