diff --git a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/__init__.py b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/__init__.py
index b2e62f720e5..7c390a465d6 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/__init__.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/__init__.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import time
 
 from homeassistant.exceptions import HomeAssistantError
 import homeassistant.util as util
+from homeassistant.util import template
 from homeassistant.helpers import validate_config
 from homeassistant.const import (
     EVENT_HOMEASSISTANT_START, EVENT_HOMEASSISTANT_STOP)
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ DEFAULT_PROTOCOL = PROTOCOL_311
 
 ATTR_TOPIC = 'topic'
 ATTR_PAYLOAD = 'payload'
+ATTR_PAYLOAD_TEMPLATE = 'payload_template'
 ATTR_QOS = 'qos'
 ATTR_RETAIN = 'retain'
 
@@ -131,11 +133,25 @@ def setup(hass, config):
     def publish_service(call):
         """Handle MQTT publish service calls."""
         msg_topic = call.data.get(ATTR_TOPIC)
-        payload = util.template.render(hass, call.data.get(ATTR_PAYLOAD))
-        qos = call.data.get(ATTR_QOS, DEFAULT_QOS)
-        retain = call.data.get(ATTR_RETAIN, DEFAULT_RETAIN)
+        payload = call.data.get(ATTR_PAYLOAD)
+        if payload is None:
+            try:
+                payload_template = call.data.get(ATTR_PAYLOAD_TEMPLATE)
+                if payload_template is None:
+                    _LOGGER.error(
+                        "You must set either '%s' or '%s' to use this service",
+                        ATTR_PAYLOAD, ATTR_PAYLOAD_TEMPLATE)
+                    return
+                payload = template.render(hass, payload_template)
+            except AttributeError as exc:
+                _LOGGER.error(
+                    "Unable to publish to '%s': rendering payload template of "
+                    "'%s' failed because %s.",
+                    msg_topic, payload_template, exc)
         if msg_topic is None or payload is None:
             return
+        qos = call.data.get(ATTR_QOS, DEFAULT_QOS)
+        retain = call.data.get(ATTR_RETAIN, DEFAULT_RETAIN)
         MQTT_CLIENT.publish(msg_topic, payload, qos, retain)
 
     hass.bus.listen_once(EVENT_HOMEASSISTANT_START, start_mqtt)
diff --git a/tests/components/test_mqtt.py b/tests/components/test_mqtt.py
index c36459e5500..5746dd5a273 100644
--- a/tests/components/test_mqtt.py
+++ b/tests/components/test_mqtt.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class TestMQTT(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual('test-payload',
                          self.calls[0][0].data['service_data'][mqtt.ATTR_PAYLOAD])
 
-    def test_service_call_without_topic_does_not_publush(self):
+    def test_service_call_without_topic_does_not_publish(self):
         self.hass.bus.fire(EVENT_CALL_SERVICE, {
             ATTR_DOMAIN: mqtt.DOMAIN,
             ATTR_SERVICE: mqtt.SERVICE_PUBLISH
@@ -76,6 +76,40 @@ class TestMQTT(unittest.TestCase):
         self.hass.pool.block_till_done()
         self.assertTrue(not mqtt.MQTT_CLIENT.publish.called)
 
+    def test_service_call_with_template_payload_renders_template(self):
+        """
+        If 'payload_template' is provided and 'payload' is not, then render it.
+        """
+        self.hass.services.call(mqtt.DOMAIN, mqtt.SERVICE_PUBLISH, {
+            mqtt.ATTR_TOPIC: "test/topic",
+            mqtt.ATTR_PAYLOAD_TEMPLATE: "{{ 1+1 }}"
+        }, blocking=True)
+        self.assertTrue(mqtt.MQTT_CLIENT.publish.called)
+        self.assertEqual(mqtt.MQTT_CLIENT.publish.call_args[0][1], "2")
+
+    def test_service_call_with_payload_doesnt_render_template(self):
+        """
+        If a 'payload' is provided then use that instead of 'payload_template'.
+        """
+        payload = "not a template"
+        payload_template = "a template"
+        self.hass.services.call(mqtt.DOMAIN, mqtt.SERVICE_PUBLISH, {
+            mqtt.ATTR_TOPIC: "test/topic",
+            mqtt.ATTR_PAYLOAD: payload,
+            mqtt.ATTR_PAYLOAD_TEMPLATE: payload_template
+        }, blocking=True)
+        self.assertTrue(mqtt.MQTT_CLIENT.publish.called)
+        self.assertEqual(mqtt.MQTT_CLIENT.publish.call_args[0][1], payload)
+
+    def test_service_call_without_payload_or_payload_template(self):
+        """
+        If neither 'payload' or 'payload_template' is provided then fail.
+        """
+        self.hass.services.call(mqtt.DOMAIN, mqtt.SERVICE_PUBLISH, {
+            mqtt.ATTR_TOPIC: "test/topic"
+        }, blocking=True)
+        self.assertFalse(mqtt.MQTT_CLIENT.publish.called)
+
     def test_subscribe_topic(self):
         mqtt.subscribe(self.hass, 'test-topic', self.record_calls)