diff --git a/homeassistant/components/remote/harmony.py b/homeassistant/components/remote/harmony.py
index 25a1a684d3c..c84d214d826 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/remote/harmony.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/remote/harmony.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ CONF_DEVICE_CACHE = 'harmony_device_cache'
 SERVICE_SYNC = 'harmony_sync'
 
 PLATFORM_SCHEMA = PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
-    vol.Required(ATTR_ACTIVITY): cv.string,
+    vol.Optional(ATTR_ACTIVITY): cv.string,
     vol.Required(CONF_NAME): cv.string,
     vol.Optional(ATTR_DELAY_SECS, default=DEFAULT_DELAY_SECS):
         vol.Coerce(float),