diff --git a/src/LyX.cpp b/src/LyX.cpp
index 44361baa0f..a0035fbe80 100644
--- a/src/LyX.cpp
+++ b/src/LyX.cpp
@@ -1103,7 +1103,7 @@ bool LyX::queryUserLyXDir(bool explicit_userdir)
 
 	if (!sup.createDirectory(0755)) {
 		// Failed, so let's exit.
-		lyxerr << to_utf8(_("Failed to create directory. Exiting."))
+		lyxerr << to_utf8(_("Failed to create directory. Perhaps wrong -userdir option?\nExiting."))
 		       << endl;
 		earlyExit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 	}