@Critter is correct; you can enter the transaction either way. However, the issue remaining concerns the passive loss carryover which, apparently, cannot be entered without entering the transaction in the rental section.
Thus, you should contact Customer Support if you are facing that issue since they might have a method to enter the passive loss carryover without entering an actual Schedule E rental asset.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632
