diff --git a/moto/ses/exceptions.py b/moto/ses/exceptions.py
index 46564af1e..42f9a77bd 100644
--- a/moto/ses/exceptions.py
+++ b/moto/ses/exceptions.py
@@ -87,3 +87,13 @@ class RuleSetDoesNotExist(RESTError):
 
     def __init__(self, message):
         super(RuleSetDoesNotExist, self).__init__("RuleSetDoesNotExist", message)
+
+
+class MissingRenderingAttributeException(RESTError):
+    code = 400
+
+    def __init__(self, var):
+        super(MissingRenderingAttributeException, self).__init__(
+            "MissingRenderingAttributeException",
+            "Attribute '{0}' is not present in the rendering data.".format(var),
+        )
diff --git a/moto/ses/models.py b/moto/ses/models.py
index c6722c3d1..f5ebcefc4 100644
--- a/moto/ses/models.py
+++ b/moto/ses/models.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
+import re
 import json
 import email
 import datetime
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ from .exceptions import (
     RuleSetNameAlreadyExists,
     RuleSetDoesNotExist,
     RuleAlreadyExists,
+    MissingRenderingAttributeException,
 )
 from .utils import get_random_message_id
 from .feedback import COMMON_MAIL, BOUNCE, COMPLAINT, DELIVERY
@@ -91,6 +93,17 @@ class SESQuota(BaseModel):
         return self.sent
 
 
+def are_all_variables_present(template, template_data):
+    subject_part = template["subject_part"]
+    text_part = template["text_part"]
+    html_part = template["html_part"]
+
+    for var in re.findall("{{(.+?)}}", subject_part + text_part + html_part):
+        if not template_data.get(var):
+            return var, False
+    return None, True
+
+
 class SESBackend(BaseBackend):
     def __init__(self):
         self.addresses = []
@@ -352,6 +365,10 @@ class SESBackend(BaseBackend):
                 "Template rendering data is invalid"
             )
 
+        var, are_variables_present = are_all_variables_present(template, template_data)
+        if not are_variables_present:
+            raise MissingRenderingAttributeException(var)
+
         subject_part = template["subject_part"]
         text_part = template["text_part"]
         html_part = template["html_part"]
diff --git a/tests/test_ses/test_ses_boto3.py b/tests/test_ses/test_ses_boto3.py
index c071ddc1c..a3a273e85 100644
--- a/tests/test_ses/test_ses_boto3.py
+++ b/tests/test_ses/test_ses_boto3.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from six.moves.email_mime_text import MIMEText
 import pytest
 
 
-import sure  # noqa
+# import sure  # noqa
 
 from moto import mock_ses
 
@@ -531,6 +531,40 @@ def test_render_template():
     result["RenderedTemplate"].should.contain("<h1>Hello John,</h1>")
     result["RenderedTemplate"].should.contain("Your favorite animal is Lion")
 
+    kwargs = dict(
+        TemplateName="MyTestTemplate",
+        TemplateData=json.dumps({"name": "John", "favoriteanimal": "Lion"}),
+    )
+
+    conn.create_template(
+        Template={
+            "TemplateName": "MyTestTemplate1",
+            "SubjectPart": "Greetings, {{name}}!",
+            "TextPart": "Dear {{name}},"
+            "\r\nYour favorite animal is {{favoriteanimal}}.",
+            "HtmlPart": "<h1>Hello {{name}},"
+            "</h1><p>Your favorite animal is {{favoriteanimal  }}.</p>",
+        }
+    )
+
+    result = conn.test_render_template(**kwargs)
+    result["RenderedTemplate"].should.contain("Subject: Greetings, John!")
+    result["RenderedTemplate"].should.contain("Dear John,")
+    result["RenderedTemplate"].should.contain("<h1>Hello John,</h1>")
+    result["RenderedTemplate"].should.contain("Your favorite animal is Lion")
+
+    kwargs = dict(
+        TemplateName="MyTestTemplate", TemplateData=json.dumps({"name": "John"}),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(ClientError) as ex:
+        conn.test_render_template(**kwargs)
+    assert ex.value.response["Error"]["Code"] == "MissingRenderingAttributeException"
+    assert (
+        ex.value.response["Error"]["Message"]
+        == "Attribute 'favoriteanimal' is not present in the rendering data."
+    )
+
 
 @mock_ses
 def test_update_ses_template():