diff --git a/artiq/dashboard/moninj.py b/artiq/dashboard/moninj.py
index b43355314..0ad0955d7 100644
--- a/artiq/dashboard/moninj.py
+++ b/artiq/dashboard/moninj.py
@@ -695,11 +695,11 @@ class _DeviceManager:
                 logger.info("cancelled connection to moninj")
                 break
             except:
-                logger.error("failed to connect to moninj", exc_info=True)
+                logger.error("failed to connect to moninj. Is aqctl_moninj_proxy running?", exc_info=True)
                 await asyncio.sleep(10.)
                 self.reconnect_mi.set()
             else:
-                logger.info("ARTIQ dashboard connected to moninj proxy (%s)",
+                logger.info("ARTIQ dashboard connected to moninj (%s)",
                             self.mi_addr)
                 self.mi_connection = new_mi_connection
                 for ttl_channel in self.ttl_widgets.keys():