diff --git a/OpenRA.Game/Graphics/SequenceProvider.cs b/OpenRA.Game/Graphics/SequenceProvider.cs
index acdedf814c..2e36b04a91 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Game/Graphics/SequenceProvider.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Game/Graphics/SequenceProvider.cs
@@ -56,8 +56,12 @@ namespace OpenRA.Graphics
 			try { return units[unitName][sequenceName]; }
 			catch (KeyNotFoundException)
 			{
-				throw new InvalidOperationException(
-					"Unit `{0}` does not have a sequence `{1}`".F(unitName, sequenceName));
+				if (units.ContainsKey(unitName))
+					throw new InvalidOperationException(
+						"Unit `{0}` does not have a sequence `{1}`".F(unitName, sequenceName));
+				else
+					throw new InvalidOperationException(
+						"Unit `{0}` does not have any sequences defined.".F(unitName));
 			}
 		}