diff --git a/cmd/flux/bootstrap_git.go b/cmd/flux/bootstrap_git.go
index 6f540fe5..27515775 100644
--- a/cmd/flux/bootstrap_git.go
+++ b/cmd/flux/bootstrap_git.go
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ func transportForURL(u *url.URL) (transport.AuthMethod, error) {
 	switch u.Scheme {
 	case "http":
 		if !gitArgs.insecureHttpAllowed {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scheme http is not supported")
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scheme http is insecure, pass --allow-insecure-http=true to allow it")
 		}
 		return &http.BasicAuth{
 			Username: gitArgs.username,