diff --git a/pyste/src/exporterutils.py b/pyste/src/exporterutils.py
index 774bd7cb..b6545dc3 100644
--- a/pyste/src/exporterutils.py
+++ b/pyste/src/exporterutils.py
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ def HandlePolicy(function, policy):
     # show a warning to the user, if needed
     if needs_policy and policy is None:
         global _printed_warnings
-        warning = '---> Error: Method "%s" needs a policy.' % function.FullName()
+        warning = '---> Error: %s returns a pointer or a reference, ' \
+                  'but no policy was specified.' % function.FullName()
         if warning not in _printed_warnings:
             print warning
             print