diff --git a/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp b/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
index c109464819f..520a6fe4e7f 100644
--- a/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
+++ b/source/core/gamecontrol.cpp
@@ -643,7 +643,11 @@ static TArray<GrpEntry> SetupGame()
 	{
 		// Abort if no game data found.
 		G_SaveConfig();
-		I_Error("Unable to find any game data. Please verify your settings.");
+		I_Error("Unable to find any game data. Please verify your settings.\n"
+		"Install game data files in subfolders of: " + M_GetAppDataPath(false) + "\n\n"
+		"For example, you can create a 'duke' folder inside the above folder\n"
+		"and place DUKE3D.GRP and DUKE.RTS (case-insensitive) in the 'duke' folder.\n"
+		"Subfolders can have any name. The name has no bearing on game recognition.");
 	}
 
 	decltype(groups) usedgroups;