diff --git a/homeassistant/components/light/__init__.py b/homeassistant/components/light/__init__.py
index 4fae5caab00..fe9a38d12b4 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/light/__init__.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/light/__init__.py
@@ -73,6 +73,20 @@ VALID_COLOR_MODES = {
 COLOR_MODES_BRIGHTNESS = VALID_COLOR_MODES - {COLOR_MODE_ONOFF}
 COLOR_MODES_COLOR = {COLOR_MODE_HS, COLOR_MODE_RGB, COLOR_MODE_XY}
 
+
+def valid_supported_color_modes(color_modes):
+    """Validate the given color modes."""
+    color_modes = set(color_modes)
+    if (
+        not color_modes
+        or COLOR_MODE_UNKNOWN in color_modes
+        or (COLOR_MODE_BRIGHTNESS in color_modes and len(color_modes) > 1)
+        or (COLOR_MODE_ONOFF in color_modes and len(color_modes) > 1)
+    ):
+        raise vol.Error(f"Invalid supported_color_modes {sorted(color_modes)}")
+    return color_modes
+
+
 # Float that represents transition time in seconds to make change.
 ATTR_TRANSITION = "transition"
 
diff --git a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py
index 8be3708bd61..aaf12f3362f 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ from homeassistant.components.light import (
     SUPPORT_WHITE_VALUE,
     VALID_COLOR_MODES,
     LightEntity,
+    valid_supported_color_modes,
 )
 from homeassistant.const import (
     CONF_BRIGHTNESS,
@@ -130,7 +131,10 @@ PLATFORM_SCHEMA_JSON = vol.All(
             vol.Optional(CONF_RGB, default=DEFAULT_RGB): cv.boolean,
             vol.Optional(CONF_STATE_TOPIC): mqtt.valid_subscribe_topic,
             vol.Inclusive(CONF_SUPPORTED_COLOR_MODES, "color_mode"): vol.All(
-                cv.ensure_list, [vol.In(VALID_COLOR_MODES)], vol.Unique()
+                cv.ensure_list,
+                [vol.In(VALID_COLOR_MODES)],
+                vol.Unique(),
+                valid_supported_color_modes,
             ),
             vol.Optional(CONF_WHITE_VALUE, default=DEFAULT_WHITE_VALUE): cv.boolean,
             vol.Optional(CONF_XY, default=DEFAULT_XY): cv.boolean,
diff --git a/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py b/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py
index 7856eb84c07..6c9c7ae903a 100644
--- a/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py
+++ b/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py
@@ -188,6 +188,33 @@ async def test_fail_setup_if_color_mode_deprecated(hass, mqtt_mock, deprecated):
     assert hass.states.get("light.test") is None
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "supported_color_modes", [["onoff", "rgb"], ["brightness", "rgb"], ["unknown"]]
+)
+async def test_fail_setup_if_color_modes_invalid(
+    hass, mqtt_mock, supported_color_modes
+):
+    """Test if setup fails if supported color modes is invalid."""
+    config = {
+        light.DOMAIN: {
+            "brightness": True,
+            "color_mode": True,
+            "command_topic": "test_light_rgb/set",
+            "name": "test",
+            "platform": "mqtt",
+            "schema": "json",
+            "supported_color_modes": supported_color_modes,
+        }
+    }
+    assert await async_setup_component(
+        hass,
+        light.DOMAIN,
+        config,
+    )
+    await hass.async_block_till_done()
+    assert hass.states.get("light.test") is None
+
+
 async def test_rgb_light(hass, mqtt_mock):
     """Test RGB light flags brightness support."""
     assert await async_setup_component(