diff --git a/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass b/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass
index 48b364c1d4..0f7e3b5a08 100644
--- a/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ python systemd_populate_packages() {
     def systemd_check_package(pkg_systemd):
         packages = d.getVar('PACKAGES')
         if not pkg_systemd in packages.split():
-            bb.error('%s does not appear in package list, please add it' % pkg_systemd)
+            bb.error('%s is marked for packaging systemd scripts, but it does not appear in package list, please add it to PACKAGES or adjust SYSTEMD_PACKAGES accordingly' % pkg_systemd)
 
 
     def systemd_generate_package_scripts(pkg):