diff --git a/crates/typst-library/src/meta/reference.rs b/crates/typst-library/src/meta/reference.rs
index 5bd044319..015157a8b 100644
--- a/crates/typst-library/src/meta/reference.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-library/src/meta/reference.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use super::{BibliographyElem, CiteElem, Counter, Figurable, Numbering};
+use crate::math::EquationElem;
 use crate::meta::FootnoteElem;
 use crate::prelude::*;
 use crate::text::TextElem;
@@ -189,8 +190,13 @@ impl Show for RefElem {
                     )
                 })
                 .hint(eco_format!(
-                    "you can enable heading numbering with `#set {}(numbering: \"1.\")`",
-                    elem.func().name()
+                    "you can enable {} numbering with `#set {}(numbering: \"1.\")`",
+                    elem.func().name(),
+                    if elem.func() == EquationElem::func() {
+                        "math.equation"
+                    } else {
+                        elem.func().name()
+                    }
                 ))
                 .at(span)?;
 
diff --git a/tests/typ/bugs/equation-numbering-reference.typ b/tests/typ/bugs/equation-numbering-reference.typ
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3423f0229
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/typ/bugs/equation-numbering-reference.typ
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+// In this bug, the hint and error messages for an equation
+// being reference mentioned that it was a "heading" and was
+// lacking the proper path.
+// Ref: false
+
+---
+#set page(height: 70pt)
+
+$
+    Delta = b^2 - 4 a c
+$ <quadratic>
+
+// Error: 14-24 cannot reference equation without numbering
+// Hint: 14-24 you can enable equation numbering with `#set math.equation(numbering: "1.")`
+Looks at the @quadratic formula.
\ No newline at end of file