diff --git a/torchvision/utils.py b/torchvision/utils.py
index e82752ab28b..64e7b481ebf 100644
--- a/torchvision/utils.py
+++ b/torchvision/utils.py
@@ -57,7 +57,11 @@ def make_grid(
     if not torch.jit.is_scripting() and not torch.jit.is_tracing():
         _log_api_usage_once(make_grid)
     if not (torch.is_tensor(tensor) or (isinstance(tensor, list) and all(torch.is_tensor(t) for t in tensor))):
-        raise TypeError(f"tensor or list of tensors expected, got {type(tensor)}")
+        if isinstance(tensor, list):
+            typ = "a list not containing only tensors"
+        else:
+            typ = repr(type(tensor))
+        raise TypeError(f"tensor or list of tensors expected, got {typ}")
 
     if "range" in kwargs.keys():
         warnings.warn(