diff --git a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/MissionItemProtocol.cpp b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/MissionItemProtocol.cpp
index 6df6e6d95b..5792adc9f1 100644
--- a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/MissionItemProtocol.cpp
+++ b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/MissionItemProtocol.cpp
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ void MissionItemProtocol::handle_mission_count(
     if (packet.count > max_items()) {
         // FIXME: different items take up different storage space!
         send_mission_ack(_link, msg, MAV_MISSION_NO_SPACE);
+        GCS_SEND_TEXT(MAV_SEVERITY_WARNING, "Only %u items are supported", (unsigned)max_items());
         return;
     }