diff --git a/server/src/com/cloud/api/ApiServer.java b/server/src/com/cloud/api/ApiServer.java
index 1cf243558e1..ac38c05e058 100755
--- a/server/src/com/cloud/api/ApiServer.java
+++ b/server/src/com/cloud/api/ApiServer.java
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ public class ApiServer implements HttpRequestHandler {
 
             return;
         }
-        throw new CloudAuthenticationException("Unable to find user " + username + " in domain " + domainId);
+        throw new CloudAuthenticationException("Failed to authenticate user " + username + " in domain " + domainId + "; please provide valid credentials");
     }
 
     public void logoutUser(long userId) {