diff --git a/pkg/kapp/crdupgradesafety/change_validator.go b/pkg/kapp/crdupgradesafety/change_validator.go
index a475c605a..a49a81031 100644
--- a/pkg/kapp/crdupgradesafety/change_validator.go
+++ b/pkg/kapp/crdupgradesafety/change_validator.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func RequiredFieldChangeValidation(diff FieldDiff) (bool, error) {
 	}
 
 	if len(diff.Old.Required) == 0 && len(diff.New.Required) > 0 {
-		return handled(), fmt.Errorf("new values added as required when previously no required fields existed")
+		return handled(), fmt.Errorf("new values added as required when previously no required fields existed: %+v", diff.New.Required)
 	}
 
 	oldSet := sets.NewString()