diff --git a/internal/builders/golang/build.go b/internal/builders/golang/build.go
index 6de6b0fc870..3f6ab6cc2d5 100644
--- a/internal/builders/golang/build.go
+++ b/internal/builders/golang/build.go
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func init() {
 type Builder struct{}
 
 // WithDefaults sets the defaults for a golang build and returns it.
-func (*Builder) WithDefaults(build config.Build) config.Build {
+func (*Builder) WithDefaults(build config.Build) (config.Build, error) {
 	if build.Dir == "" {
 		build.Dir = "."
 	}
@@ -54,12 +54,16 @@ func (*Builder) WithDefaults(build config.Build) config.Build {
 		if len(build.Goarm) == 0 {
 			build.Goarm = []string{"6"}
 		}
-		build.Targets = matrix(build)
+		targets, err := matrix(build)
+		build.Targets = targets
+		if err != nil {
+			return build, err
+		}
 	}
 	if build.GoBinary == "" {
 		build.GoBinary = "go"
 	}
-	return build
+	return build, nil
 }
 
 // Build builds a golang build.
diff --git a/internal/builders/golang/build_test.go b/internal/builders/golang/build_test.go
index cb0ff68e72f..123dcbb57a7 100644
--- a/internal/builders/golang/build_test.go
+++ b/internal/builders/golang/build_test.go
@@ -94,13 +94,60 @@ func TestWithDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 			var ctx = context.New(config)
 			ctx.Git.CurrentTag = "5.6.7"
-			var build = Default.WithDefaults(ctx.Config.Builds[0])
+			build, err := Default.WithDefaults(ctx.Config.Builds[0])
+			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.ElementsMatch(t, build.Targets, testcase.targets)
 			require.EqualValues(t, testcase.goBinary, build.GoBinary)
 		})
 	}
 }
 
+func TestInvalidTargets(t *testing.T) {
+	type testcase struct {
+		build       config.Build
+		expectedErr string
+	}
+	for s, tc := range map[string]testcase{
+		"goos": {
+			build: config.Build{
+				Goos: []string{"darwin", "darwim"},
+			},
+			expectedErr: "invalid goos: darwim",
+		},
+		"goarch": {
+			build: config.Build{
+				Goarch: []string{"amd64", "i386", "386"},
+			},
+			expectedErr: "invalid goarch: i386",
+		},
+		"goarm": {
+			build: config.Build{
+				Goarch: []string{"arm"},
+				Goarm:  []string{"6", "9", "8", "7"},
+			},
+			expectedErr: "invalid goarm: 9",
+		},
+		"gomips": {
+			build: config.Build{
+				Goarch: []string{"mips"},
+				Gomips: []string{"softfloat", "mehfloat", "hardfloat"},
+			},
+			expectedErr: "invalid gomips: mehfloat",
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(s, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var config = config.Project{
+				Builds: []config.Build{
+					tc.build,
+				},
+			}
+			var ctx = context.New(config)
+			_, err := Default.WithDefaults(ctx.Config.Builds[0])
+			require.EqualError(t, err, tc.expectedErr)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBuild(t *testing.T) {
 	folder, back := testlib.Mktmp(t)
 	defer back()
diff --git a/internal/builders/golang/targets.go b/internal/builders/golang/targets.go
index 14b776b4b29..271c89eb203 100644
--- a/internal/builders/golang/targets.go
+++ b/internal/builders/golang/targets.go
@@ -22,10 +22,24 @@ func (t target) String() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%s_%s", t.os, t.arch)
 }
 
-func matrix(build config.Build) (result []string) {
+func matrix(build config.Build) ([]string, error) {
 	// nolint:prealloc
 	var targets []target
+	// nolint:prealloc
+	var result []string
 	for _, target := range allBuildTargets(build) {
+		if !contains(target.os, validGoos) {
+			return result, fmt.Errorf("invalid goos: %s", target.os)
+		}
+		if !contains(target.arch, validGoarch) {
+			return result, fmt.Errorf("invalid goarch: %s", target.arch)
+		}
+		if target.arm != "" && !contains(target.arm, validGoarm) {
+			return result, fmt.Errorf("invalid goarm: %s", target.arm)
+		}
+		if target.mips != "" && !contains(target.mips, validGomips) {
+			return result, fmt.Errorf("invalid gomips: %s", target.mips)
+		}
 		if !valid(target) {
 			log.WithField("target", target).
 				Debug("skipped invalid build")
@@ -41,7 +55,7 @@ func matrix(build config.Build) (result []string) {
 	for _, target := range targets {
 		result = append(result, target.String())
 	}
-	return
+	return result, nil
 }
 
 func allBuildTargets(build config.Build) (targets []target) {
@@ -98,56 +112,95 @@ func ignored(build config.Build, target target) bool {
 }
 
 func valid(target target) bool {
-	var s = target.os + target.arch
-	for _, a := range validTargets {
-		if a == s {
+	return contains(target.os+target.arch, validTargets)
+}
+
+func contains(s string, ss []string) bool {
+	for _, z := range ss {
+		if z == s {
 			return true
 		}
 	}
 	return false
 }
 
-// list from https://golang.org/doc/install/source#environment
+// lists from https://golang.org/doc/install/source#environment
 // nolint: gochecknoglobals
-var validTargets = []string{
-	"aixppc64",
-	"android386",
-	"androidamd64",
-	"androidarm",
-	"androidarm64",
-	// "darwin386", - deprecated on latest go 1.15+
-	"darwinamd64",
-	// "darwinarm", - requires admin rights and other ios stuff
-	// "darwinarm64", - requires admin rights and other ios stuff
-	"dragonflyamd64",
-	"freebsd386",
-	"freebsdamd64",
-	"freebsdarm",
-	"freebsdarm64", // not on the official list for some reason, yet its supported on go 1.14+
-	"illumosamd64",
-	"jswasm",
-	"linux386",
-	"linuxamd64",
-	"linuxarm",
-	"linuxarm64",
-	"linuxppc64",
-	"linuxppc64le",
-	"linuxmips",
-	"linuxmipsle",
-	"linuxmips64",
-	"linuxmips64le",
-	"linuxs390x",
-	"netbsd386",
-	"netbsdamd64",
-	"netbsdarm",
-	"openbsd386",
-	"openbsdamd64",
-	"openbsdarm",
-	"openbsdarm64",
-	"plan9386",
-	"plan9amd64",
-	"plan9arm",
-	"solarisamd64",
-	"windows386",
-	"windowsamd64",
-}
+var (
+	validTargets = []string{
+		"aixppc64",
+		"android386",
+		"androidamd64",
+		"androidarm",
+		"androidarm64",
+		// "darwin386", - deprecated on latest go 1.15+
+		"darwinamd64",
+		// "darwinarm", - requires admin rights and other ios stuff
+		// "darwinarm64", - requires admin rights and other ios stuff
+		"dragonflyamd64",
+		"freebsd386",
+		"freebsdamd64",
+		"freebsdarm",
+		"freebsdarm64", // not on the official list for some reason, yet its supported on go 1.14+
+		"illumosamd64",
+		"jswasm",
+		"linux386",
+		"linuxamd64",
+		"linuxarm",
+		"linuxarm64",
+		"linuxppc64",
+		"linuxppc64le",
+		"linuxmips",
+		"linuxmipsle",
+		"linuxmips64",
+		"linuxmips64le",
+		"linuxs390x",
+		"netbsd386",
+		"netbsdamd64",
+		"netbsdarm",
+		"openbsd386",
+		"openbsdamd64",
+		"openbsdarm",
+		"openbsdarm64",
+		"plan9386",
+		"plan9amd64",
+		"plan9arm",
+		"solarisamd64",
+		"windows386",
+		"windowsamd64",
+	}
+
+	validGoos = []string{
+		"aix",
+		"android",
+		"darwin",
+		"dragonfly",
+		"freebsd",
+		"illumos",
+		"js",
+		"linux",
+		"netbsd",
+		"openbsd",
+		"plan9",
+		"solaris",
+		"windows",
+	}
+
+	validGoarch = []string{
+		"386",
+		"amd64",
+		"arm",
+		"arm64",
+		"mips",
+		"mips64",
+		"mips64le",
+		"mipsle",
+		"ppc64",
+		"ppc64le",
+		"s390x",
+		"wasm",
+	}
+
+	validGoarm  = []string{"5", "6", "7"}
+	validGomips = []string{"hardfloat", "softfloat"}
+)
diff --git a/internal/builders/golang/targets_test.go b/internal/builders/golang/targets_test.go
index cda0450bfc1..e59d1be2dbb 100644
--- a/internal/builders/golang/targets_test.go
+++ b/internal/builders/golang/targets_test.go
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ func TestAllBuildTargets(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 	}
+	result, err := matrix(build)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, []string{
 		"linux_386",
 		"linux_amd64",
@@ -74,7 +76,7 @@ func TestAllBuildTargets(t *testing.T) {
 		"openbsd_amd64",
 		"openbsd_arm64",
 		"js_wasm",
-	}, matrix(build))
+	}, result)
 }
 
 func TestGoosGoarchCombos(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/internal/pipe/build/build.go b/internal/pipe/build/build.go
index 028e81807aa..775734af5e0 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/build/build.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/build/build.go
@@ -51,18 +51,24 @@ func (Pipe) Run(ctx *context.Context) error {
 func (Pipe) Default(ctx *context.Context) error {
 	var ids = ids.New("builds")
 	for i, build := range ctx.Config.Builds {
-		ctx.Config.Builds[i] = buildWithDefaults(ctx, build)
+		build, err := buildWithDefaults(ctx, build)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		ctx.Config.Builds[i] = build
 		ids.Inc(ctx.Config.Builds[i].ID)
 	}
 	if len(ctx.Config.Builds) == 0 {
-		ctx.Config.Builds = []config.Build{
-			buildWithDefaults(ctx, ctx.Config.SingleBuild),
+		build, err := buildWithDefaults(ctx, ctx.Config.SingleBuild)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
 		}
+		ctx.Config.Builds = []config.Build{build}
 	}
 	return ids.Validate()
 }
 
-func buildWithDefaults(ctx *context.Context, build config.Build) config.Build {
+func buildWithDefaults(ctx *context.Context, build config.Build) (config.Build, error) {
 	if build.Lang == "" {
 		build.Lang = "go"
 	}
diff --git a/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go b/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go
index 074a1fb67ac..caabc715ce1 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go
@@ -17,16 +17,21 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
+var errFailedBuild = errors.New("fake builder failed")
+var errFailedDefault = errors.New("fake builder defaults failed")
+
 type fakeBuilder struct {
-	fail bool
+	fail        bool
+	failDefault bool
 }
 
-func (*fakeBuilder) WithDefaults(build config.Build) config.Build {
-	return build
+func (f *fakeBuilder) WithDefaults(build config.Build) (config.Build, error) {
+	if f.failDefault {
+		return build, errFailedDefault
+	}
+	return build, nil
 }
 
-var errFailedBuild = errors.New("fake builder failed")
-
 func (f *fakeBuilder) Build(ctx *context.Context, build config.Build, options api.Options) error {
 	if f.fail {
 		return errFailedBuild
@@ -48,6 +53,9 @@ func init() {
 	api.Register("fakeFail", &fakeBuilder{
 		fail: true,
 	})
+	api.Register("fakeFailDefault", &fakeBuilder{
+		failDefault: true,
+	})
 }
 
 func TestPipeDescription(t *testing.T) {
@@ -212,6 +220,22 @@ func TestDefaultNoBuilds(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, Pipe{}.Default(ctx))
 }
 
+func TestDefaultFail(t *testing.T) {
+	folder, back := testlib.Mktmp(t)
+	defer back()
+	var config = config.Project{
+		Dist: folder,
+		Builds: []config.Build{
+			{
+				Lang: "fakeFailDefault",
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	var ctx = context.New(config)
+	require.EqualError(t, Pipe{}.Default(ctx), errFailedDefault.Error())
+	require.Empty(t, ctx.Artifacts.List())
+}
+
 func TestDefaultExpandEnv(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, os.Setenv("XBAR", "FOOBAR"))
 	var ctx = &context.Context{
@@ -351,6 +375,20 @@ func TestDefaultFillSingleBuild(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, ctx.Config.Builds[0].Binary, "foo")
 }
 
+func TestDefaultFailSingleBuild(t *testing.T) {
+	folder, back := testlib.Mktmp(t)
+	defer back()
+	var config = config.Project{
+		Dist: folder,
+		SingleBuild: config.Build{
+			Lang: "fakeFailDefault",
+		},
+	}
+	var ctx = context.New(config)
+	require.EqualError(t, Pipe{}.Default(ctx), errFailedDefault.Error())
+	require.Empty(t, ctx.Artifacts.List())
+}
+
 func TestSkipBuild(t *testing.T) {
 	folder, back := testlib.Mktmp(t)
 	defer back()
diff --git a/pkg/build/build.go b/pkg/build/build.go
index 464ac714d93..6c7f5041ab3 100644
--- a/pkg/build/build.go
+++ b/pkg/build/build.go
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@ type Options struct {
 
 // Builder defines a builder.
 type Builder interface {
-	WithDefaults(build config.Build) config.Build
+	WithDefaults(build config.Build) (config.Build, error)
 	Build(ctx *context.Context, build config.Build, options Options) error
 }
diff --git a/pkg/build/build_test.go b/pkg/build/build_test.go
index a0d396d1ccc..33f8b20d3a4 100644
--- a/pkg/build/build_test.go
+++ b/pkg/build/build_test.go
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ import (
 
 type dummy struct{}
 
-func (*dummy) WithDefaults(build config.Build) config.Build {
-	return build
+func (*dummy) WithDefaults(build config.Build) (config.Build, error) {
+	return build, nil
 }
 func (*dummy) Build(ctx *context.Context, build config.Build, options Options) error {
 	return nil