diff --git a/src/package.ts b/src/package.ts
index aef0a5d8..1012b8c4 100644
--- a/src/package.ts
+++ b/src/package.ts
@@ -723,7 +723,7 @@ export class MarkdownProcessor extends BaseProcessor {
 		let contents = await read(file);
 
 		if (/This is the README for your extension /.test(contents)) {
-			throw new Error(`Make sure to edit the README.md file before you package or publish your extension.`);
+			throw new Error(`It seems the README.md still contains template text. Make sure to edit the README.md file before you package or publish your extension.`);
 		}
 
 		if (this.rewriteRelativeLinks) {