diff --git a/src/xrpld/net/detail/RPCCall.cpp b/src/xrpld/net/detail/RPCCall.cpp
index 997d6463f23..c0d2e205434 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/net/detail/RPCCall.cpp
+++ b/src/xrpld/net/detail/RPCCall.cpp
@@ -1309,7 +1309,10 @@ struct RPCCallImp
 
             // Receive reply
             if (strData.empty())
-                Throw<std::runtime_error>("no response from server");
+                Throw<std::runtime_error>(
+                    "no response from server. Please "
+                    "ensure that the rippled server is running in another "
+                    "process.");
 
             // Parse reply
             JLOG(j.debug()) << "RPC reply: " << strData << std::endl;