diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/sample-parsing.c b/tools/perf/tests/sample-parsing.c
index 77f598dbd97a..17d000c6c8ff 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/sample-parsing.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/sample-parsing.c
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ int test__sample_parsing(void)
 	 * were added.
 	 */
 	if (PERF_SAMPLE_MAX > PERF_SAMPLE_IDENTIFIER << 1) {
-		pr_debug("sample format has changed - test needs updating\n");
+		pr_debug("sample format has changed, some new PERF_SAMPLE_ bit was introduced - test needs updating\n");
 		return -1;
 	}