diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index c3a8e7e4172..b0e122e6bd1 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -902,7 +902,8 @@ openssl_dep_message:
 	@echo
 	@echo "The target you are trying to run requires an OpenSSL implementation."
 	@echo "Your system doesn't have one, and either the third_party directory"
-	@echo
+      @echo "doesn't have it, or your compiler can't build BoringSSL."
+      @echo
 	@echo "Please consult INSTALL to get more information."
 	@echo
 	@echo "If you need information about why these tests failed, run:"
diff --git a/templates/Makefile.template b/templates/Makefile.template
index 84afcdb354e..6c6a8e05932 100644
--- a/templates/Makefile.template
+++ b/templates/Makefile.template
@@ -846,7 +846,8 @@
   	@echo
   	@echo "The target you are trying to run requires an OpenSSL implementation."
   	@echo "Your system doesn't have one, and either the third_party directory"
-  	@echo
+        @echo "doesn't have it, or your compiler can't build BoringSSL."
+        @echo
   	@echo "Please consult INSTALL to get more information."
   	@echo
   	@echo "If you need information about why these tests failed, run:"