diff --git a/pmb/parse/deviceinfo.py b/pmb/parse/deviceinfo.py
index b23b32fa..8e17765b 100644
--- a/pmb/parse/deviceinfo.py
+++ b/pmb/parse/deviceinfo.py
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ def sanity_check(info, path):
                      " postmarketOS are 'handset' (for phones) and 'tablet'.")
         raise RuntimeError(f"Please add 'deviceinfo_chassis' to: {path}")
 
+    # "arch" is required
+    if "arch" not in info or not info["arch"]:
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Please add 'deviceinfo_arch' to: {path}")
+
     # "chassis" validation
     chassis_type = info["chassis"]
     if chassis_type not in chassis_types:
diff --git a/test/testdata/deviceinfo/aports/device/testing/device-multiple-kernels/deviceinfo b/test/testdata/deviceinfo/aports/device/testing/device-multiple-kernels/deviceinfo
index 95fd2f7d..77849522 100644
--- a/test/testdata/deviceinfo/aports/device/testing/device-multiple-kernels/deviceinfo
+++ b/test/testdata/deviceinfo/aports/device/testing/device-multiple-kernels/deviceinfo
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 deviceinfo_codename="multiple-kernels"
 deviceinfo_chassis="handset"
+deviceinfo_arch="aarch64"
 deviceinfo_append_dtb="yes"
 deviceinfo_dtb_mainline="mainline-dtb"
 deviceinfo_dtb_mainline_modem="mainline-modem-dtb"