diff --git a/collects/planet/private/resolver.rkt b/collects/planet/private/resolver.rkt
index edd8e93133..3f1d0a5186 100644
--- a/collects/planet/private/resolver.rkt
+++ b/collects/planet/private/resolver.rkt
@@ -515,9 +515,13 @@ subdirectory.
          (delete-file tmpfile-path)) ;; remove the tmp file, we're done with it
        final)]
     [(list #f str)
-     (string-append "PLaneT could not find the requested package: " str)]
+     (string-append (format "PLaneT could not find the package ~s: "
+                            (pkg-spec->string pkg))
+                    str)]
     [(? string? s)
-     (string-append "PLaneT could not download the requested package: " s)]))
+     (string-append (format "PLaneT could not download the package ~s: "
+                            (pkg-spec->string pkg))
+                    s)]))
 
 (define (download-package pkg)
   (unless (download?)
diff --git a/collects/tests/planet/thread-safe-resolver.rkt b/collects/tests/planet/thread-safe-resolver.rkt
index d02e3ae278..08550eb89a 100644
--- a/collects/tests/planet/thread-safe-resolver.rkt
+++ b/collects/tests/planet/thread-safe-resolver.rkt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
          rackunit
          racket/port)
 
-(define debug? #f)
+(define debug? #t)
 
 (define (install-one package-spec key)
   (define op (open-output-string))