diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index a62f4bf2f5f..19d4e2c6e5f 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -2596,7 +2596,10 @@ static int start_unit_one(
 
                 if (!sd_bus_error_has_name(error, BUS_ERROR_NO_SUCH_UNIT) &&
                     !sd_bus_error_has_name(error, BUS_ERROR_UNIT_MASKED))
-                        log_error("See system logs and 'systemctl status %s' for details.", name);
+                        log_error("See %s logs and 'systemctl%s status %s' for details.",
+                                   arg_scope == UNIT_FILE_SYSTEM ? "system" : "user",
+                                   arg_scope == UNIT_FILE_SYSTEM ? "" : " --user",
+                                   name);
 
                 return r;
         }