diff --git a/src/platform/qt/CoreManager.cpp b/src/platform/qt/CoreManager.cpp
index 98403216a..05fccf1c2 100644
--- a/src/platform/qt/CoreManager.cpp
+++ b/src/platform/qt/CoreManager.cpp
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ CoreController* CoreManager::loadGame(VFile* vf, const QString& path, const QStr
 	bytes = info.dir().canonicalPath().toUtf8();
 	mDirectorySetAttachBase(&core->dirs, VDirOpen(bytes.constData()));
 	if (!mCoreAutoloadSave(core)) {
-		LOG(QT, ERROR) << tr("Failed to open save file. Is the save directory writable?");
+		LOG(QT, ERROR) << tr("Failed to open save file; in-game saves cannot be updated. Please ensure the save directory is writable without additional privileges (e.g. UAC on Windows).");
 	}
 	mCoreAutoloadCheats(core);