diff --git a/scripts/qapi.py b/scripts/qapi.py
index d19300d657..e88c047c2e 100644
--- a/scripts/qapi.py
+++ b/scripts/qapi.py
@@ -519,7 +519,8 @@ class QAPISchemaParser(object):
             expr = self.val
             self.accept()
         else:
-            raise QAPIParseError(self, 'Expected "{", "[" or string')
+            raise QAPIParseError(self, 'Expected "{", "[", string, '
+                                 'boolean or "null"')
         return expr
 
     def get_doc(self, info):
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/trailing-comma-list.err b/tests/qapi-schema/trailing-comma-list.err
index 24c24b0108..212e14ae28 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/trailing-comma-list.err
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/trailing-comma-list.err
@@ -1 +1 @@
-tests/qapi-schema/trailing-comma-list.json:2:36: Expected "{", "[" or string
+tests/qapi-schema/trailing-comma-list.json:2:36: Expected "{", "[", string, boolean or "null"