diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/nextcloud.nix b/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/nextcloud.nix
index 53c2ab76fdf..0dad85d681a 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/nextcloud.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/nextcloud.nix
@@ -391,7 +391,9 @@ in {
                 $file = "${c.dbpassFile}";
                 if (!file_exists($file)) {
                   throw new \RuntimeException(sprintf(
-                    "Cannot start Nextcloud, dbpass file %s set by NixOS doesn't exist!",
+                    "Cannot start Nextcloud, dbpass file %s set by NixOS doesn't seem to "
+                    . "exist! Please make sure that the file exists and has appropriate "
+                    . "permissions for user & group 'nextcloud'!",
                     $file
                   ));
                 }