diff --git a/libs/wingsdk/src/platform/platform-manager.ts b/libs/wingsdk/src/platform/platform-manager.ts
index 53d5bc3ba88..bae256fd7c5 100644
--- a/libs/wingsdk/src/platform/platform-manager.ts
+++ b/libs/wingsdk/src/platform/platform-manager.ts
@@ -232,9 +232,14 @@ export function _loadCustomPlatform(customPlatformPath: string): any {
     script.runInContext(context);
     return new (platformModule.exports as any).Platform();
   } catch (error) {
+    if (process.env.DEBUG) {
+      console.error(error);
+    }
+    const hint = customPlatformPath.includes(".")
+      ? "Ensure the path to the platform is correct"
+      : `Ensure you have installed the platform provider by running 'npm install ${customPlatformPath}'`;
     console.error(
-      "An error occurred while loading the custom platform:",
-      error
+      `An error occurred while loading the custom platform: ${customPlatformPath}\n\n(hint: ${hint})`
     );
   }
 }