diff --git a/nvm.sh b/nvm.sh
index c28c5b5..5f785f8 100755
--- a/nvm.sh
+++ b/nvm.sh
@@ -701,7 +701,7 @@ nvm_ensure_version_installed() {
     fi
     nvm_err ""
     if [ "${PROVIDED_VERSION}" = 'lts' ]; then
-      nvm_err "You need to run \`nvm install --lts\` to install and \`nvm use --lts\` to use it."
+      nvm_err "`lts` is not an alias - you may need to run \`nvm install --lts\` to install and \`nvm use --lts\` to use it."
     elif [ "${IS_VERSION_FROM_NVMRC}" != '1' ]; then
       nvm_err "You need to run \`nvm install ${PROVIDED_VERSION}\` to install and use it."
     else