diff --git a/truss/cli/cli.py b/truss/cli/cli.py
index fa38acee5..69cf18618 100644
--- a/truss/cli/cli.py
+++ b/truss/cli/cli.py
@@ -548,8 +548,9 @@ def push(
         model_name = remote_cli.inquire_model_name()
 
     if promote and environment:
-        promote_warning = "'promote' flag and 'environment' flag were both specified. Ignoring the value of 'promote'"
-        console.print(promote_warning, style="yellow")
+        raise click.UsageError(
+            "'promote' flag and 'environment' flag cannot both be specified."
+        )
     if promote and not environment:
         environment = PRODUCTION_ENVIRONMENT_NAME
 
diff --git a/truss/remote/baseten/api.py b/truss/remote/baseten/api.py
index 7af664d81..8f1f227ef 100644
--- a/truss/remote/baseten/api.py
+++ b/truss/remote/baseten/api.py
@@ -199,6 +199,7 @@ def create_model_from_truss(
         allow_truss_download: bool = True,
         deployment_name: Optional[str] = None,
         origin: Optional[b10_types.ModelOrigin] = None,
+        environment: Optional[str] = None,
     ):
         query_string = f"""
             mutation ($trussUserEnv: String) {{
@@ -211,6 +212,7 @@ def create_model_from_truss(
                     allow_truss_download: {"true" if allow_truss_download else "false"}
                     {f'version_name: "{deployment_name}"' if deployment_name else ""}
                     {f"model_origin: {origin.value}" if origin else ""}
+                    {f'environment_name: "{environment}"' if environment else ""}
                 ) {{
                     model_version {{
                         id
diff --git a/truss/remote/baseten/core.py b/truss/remote/baseten/core.py
index 85dbe7a91..dc148240e 100644
--- a/truss/remote/baseten/core.py
+++ b/truss/remote/baseten/core.py
@@ -438,9 +438,6 @@ def create_truss_service(
         )
 
     if model_id is None:
-        if environment and environment != PRODUCTION_ENVIRONMENT_NAME:
-            raise ValueError(NO_ENVIRONMENTS_EXIST_ERROR_MESSAGING)
-
         model_version_json = api.create_model_from_truss(
             model_name,
             s3_key,
@@ -450,6 +447,7 @@ def create_truss_service(
             allow_truss_download=allow_truss_download,
             deployment_name=deployment_name,
             origin=origin,
+            environment=environment,
         )
 
         return ModelVersionHandle(