diff --git a/lib/classes/PluginManager.js b/lib/classes/PluginManager.js
index 36ea54b4c..b4a58e907 100644
--- a/lib/classes/PluginManager.js
+++ b/lib/classes/PluginManager.js
@@ -555,9 +555,11 @@ class PluginManager {
   validateServerlessConfigDependency(command) {
     if ('configDependent' in command && command.configDependent) {
       if (!this.serverlessConfigFile) {
-        throw new this.serverless.classes.Error(
-          'This command can only be run in a Serverless service directory'
-        );
+        const msg = [
+          'This command can only be run in a Serverless service directory. ',
+          "Make sure to reference a valid config file in the current working directory if you're using a custom config file",
+        ].join('');
+        throw new this.serverless.classes.Error(msg);
       }
     }
   }