diff --git a/tools/perf/util/parse-regs-options.c b/tools/perf/util/parse-regs-options.c
index e6599e290f46..9cb187a20fe2 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/parse-regs-options.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/parse-regs-options.c
@@ -48,8 +48,7 @@ parse_regs(const struct option *opt, const char *str, int unset)
 					break;
 			}
 			if (!r->name) {
-				ui__warning("unknown register %s,"
-					    " check man page\n", s);
+				ui__warning("Unknown register \"%s\", check man page or run \"perf record -I?\"\n", s);
 				goto error;
 			}