diff --git a/crates/rust-analyzer/src/main_loop.rs b/crates/rust-analyzer/src/main_loop.rs
index ad43e7eca0e..0d72f6ec97f 100644
--- a/crates/rust-analyzer/src/main_loop.rs
+++ b/crates/rust-analyzer/src/main_loop.rs
@@ -660,7 +660,7 @@ impl GlobalState {
                             doc.version = params.text_document.version;
                         }
                         None => {
-                            tracing::error!("expected DidChangeTextDocument: {}", path);
+                            tracing::error!("unexpected DidChangeTextDocument: {}; send DidOpenTextDocument first", path);
                             return Ok(());
                         }
                     };