diff --git a/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigSubstitution.java b/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigSubstitution.java
index 2c5531e7..b75b680e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigSubstitution.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/typesafe/config/impl/ConfigSubstitution.java
@@ -45,14 +45,15 @@ final class ConfigSubstitution extends AbstractConfigValue implements
     @Override
     public ConfigValueType valueType() {
         throw new ConfigException.NotResolved(
-                "tried to get value type on an unresolved substitution: "
+                "need to call resolve() on root config; tried to get value type on an unresolved substitution: "
                         + this);
     }
 
     @Override
     public Object unwrapped() {
         throw new ConfigException.NotResolved(
-                "tried to unwrap an unresolved substitution: " + this);
+                "need to call resolve() on root config; tried to unwrap an unresolved substitution: "
+                        + this);
     }
 
     @Override