diff --git a/src/remote/remote_driver.c b/src/remote/remote_driver.c
index 2060cf6411..def4617b5f 100644
--- a/src/remote/remote_driver.c
+++ b/src/remote/remote_driver.c
@@ -724,8 +724,8 @@ doRemoteOpen (virConnectPtr conn,
                 }
             }
             virReportSystemError(errno,
-                                 _("unable to connect to '%s'"),
-                                 sockname);
+              _("unable to connect to '%s', libvirtd may need to be started"),
+              sockname);
             goto failed;
         }