diff --git a/src/__tests__/role.js b/src/__tests__/role.js
index ec9beff7..a2964893 100644
--- a/src/__tests__/role.js
+++ b/src/__tests__/role.js
@@ -321,6 +321,28 @@ Here are the accessible roles:
 `)
 })
 
+test('does not include the container in the queryable roles', () => {
+  const {getByRole} = render(`<li />`, {
+    container: document.createElement('ul'),
+  })
+  expect(() => getByRole('list')).toThrowErrorMatchingInlineSnapshot(`
+"Unable to find an accessible element with the role "list"
+
+Here are the accessible roles:
+
+  listitem:
+
+  Name "":
+  <li />
+
+  --------------------------------------------------
+
+<ul>
+  <li />
+</ul>"
+`)
+})
+
 describe('configuration', () => {
   let originalConfig
   beforeEach(() => {
diff --git a/src/queries/role.js b/src/queries/role.js
index a442bfd9..93a67b67 100644
--- a/src/queries/role.js
+++ b/src/queries/role.js
@@ -95,9 +95,12 @@ const getMissingError = (
   role,
   {hidden = getConfig().defaultHidden, name} = {},
 ) => {
-  const roles = prettyRoles(container, {
-    hidden,
-    includeName: name !== undefined,
+  let roles = ''
+  Array.from(container.children).forEach(childElement => {
+    roles += prettyRoles(childElement, {
+      hidden,
+      includeName: name !== undefined,
+    })
   })
   let roleMessage