diff --git a/skimage/feature/template.py b/skimage/feature/template.py
index 781ee951..fbf95866 100644
--- a/skimage/feature/template.py
+++ b/skimage/feature/template.py
@@ -105,8 +105,9 @@ def match_template(image, template, pad_input=False, mode='constant',
 
     if image.ndim not in (2, 3) or template.ndim not in (2, 3):
         raise ValueError("Only 2- and 3-D images supported.")
-    if image.ndim != template.ndim:
-        raise ValueError("Dimensionality of template must match image.")
+    if image.ndim < template.ndim:
+        raise ValueError("Dimensionality of template must be less than or "
+                         "equal to the dimensionality of image.")
     if np.any(np.less(image.shape, template.shape)):
         raise ValueError("Image must be larger than template.")