diff --git a/pkg/env/armhelper.go b/pkg/env/armhelper.go
index 595c4ce4dd3..3f9384d6f8b 100644
--- a/pkg/env/armhelper.go
+++ b/pkg/env/armhelper.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func (ah *armHelper) EnsureARMResourceGroupRoleAssignment(ctx context.Context, r
 		return err
 	}
 	if principalID == nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("appId '%s' not found", ah.env.FPClientID())
+		return fmt.Errorf("no service principal found for application ID '%s'", ah.env.FPClientID())
 	}
 
 	_, err = ah.roleassignments.Create(ctx, "/subscriptions/"+ah.env.SubscriptionID()+"/resourceGroups/"+resourceGroup, uuid.DefaultGenerator.Generate(), mgmtauthorization.RoleAssignmentCreateParameters{