diff --git a/migration/savevm.c b/migration/savevm.c
index 13e51f0e34..9692577318 100644
--- a/migration/savevm.c
+++ b/migration/savevm.c
@@ -2078,7 +2078,9 @@ qemu_loadvm_section_start_full(QEMUFile *f, MigrationIncomingState *mis)
     /* Find savevm section */
     se = find_se(idstr, instance_id);
     if (se == NULL) {
-        error_report("Unknown savevm section or instance '%s' %d",
+        error_report("Unknown savevm section or instance '%s' %d. "
+                     "Make sure that your current VM setup matches your "
+                     "saved VM setup, including any hotplugged devices",
                      idstr, instance_id);
         return -EINVAL;
     }
diff --git a/vl.c b/vl.c
index 694bb67890..afbbec2383 100644
--- a/vl.c
+++ b/vl.c
@@ -4530,6 +4530,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp)
         if (load_snapshot(loadvm, &local_err) < 0) {
             error_report_err(local_err);
             autostart = 0;
+            exit(1);
         }
     }