diff --git a/salt/state.py b/salt/state.py
index 9dd6f66a54b5..6f18e4e4d6c4 100644
--- a/salt/state.py
+++ b/salt/state.py
@@ -3904,7 +3904,8 @@ def call_highstate(self, exclude=None, cache=None, cache_name='highstate',
         err += self.verify_tops(top)
         matches = self.top_matches(top)
         if not matches:
-            msg = 'No Top file or master_tops data matches found.'
+            msg = ('No Top file or master_tops data matches found. Please see '
+                   'master log for details.')
             ret[tag_name]['comment'] = msg
             return ret
         matches = self.matches_whitelist(matches, whitelist)