diff --git a/src/braket/ahs/local_detuning.py b/src/braket/ahs/local_detuning.py
index 51fbcdd28..8d049e476 100644
--- a/src/braket/ahs/local_detuning.py
+++ b/src/braket/ahs/local_detuning.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from braket.ahs.discretization_types import DiscretizationProperties
+from braket.ahs.discretization_types import DiscretizationError, DiscretizationProperties
 from braket.ahs.field import Field
 from braket.ahs.hamiltonian import Hamiltonian
 from braket.ahs.pattern import Pattern
@@ -149,12 +149,19 @@ def discretize(self, properties: DiscretizationProperties) -> LocalDetuning:
 
         Returns:
             LocalDetuning: A new discretized LocalDetuning.
+
+        Raises:
+            DiscretizationError: If local detuning parameters are not available from
+                the device properties.
         """
         local_detuning_parameters = properties.rydberg.rydbergLocal
-        time_resolution = (
-            local_detuning_parameters.timeResolution if local_detuning_parameters else None
-        )
+        if not local_detuning_parameters:
+            raise DiscretizationError(
+                "Local detuning parameters (rydbergLocal) are not available from the device "
+                "properties. Ensure that the device supports local detuning and that the "
+                "rydbergLocal capability data is returned by GetDevice."
+            )
         discretized_magnitude = self.magnitude.discretize(
-            time_resolution=time_resolution,
+            time_resolution=local_detuning_parameters.timeResolution,
         )
         return LocalDetuning(discretized_magnitude)
diff --git a/test/unit_tests/braket/ahs/test_local_detuning.py b/test/unit_tests/braket/ahs/test_local_detuning.py
index 8768dce64..ecd395f67 100644
--- a/test/unit_tests/braket/ahs/test_local_detuning.py
+++ b/test/unit_tests/braket/ahs/test_local_detuning.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 
 import pytest
 
+from braket.ahs.discretization_types import DiscretizationError
 from braket.ahs.hamiltonian import Hamiltonian
 from braket.ahs.local_detuning import LocalDetuning
 from braket.timings.time_series import StitchBoundaryCondition
@@ -134,6 +135,15 @@ def test_discretize():
     assert discretized_field.magnitude == magnitude_mock.discretize.return_value
 
 
+def test_discretize_raises_when_rydberg_local_missing():
+    magnitude_mock = Mock()
+    mock_properties = Mock()
+    mock_properties.rydberg.rydbergLocal = None
+    field = LocalDetuning(magnitude=magnitude_mock)
+    with pytest.raises(DiscretizationError, match="rydbergLocal"):
+        field.discretize(mock_properties)
+
+
 @pytest.mark.xfail(raises=ValueError)
 def test_iadd_to_itself(default_local_detuning):
     default_local_detuning += Hamiltonian(Mock())