diff --git a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
index b097570e962..e9e6d5c0ae4 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
@@ -678,6 +678,8 @@ parse_event_symbols(const char **str, struct perf_event_attr *attr)
 	if (ret != EVT_FAILED)
 		goto modifier;
 
+	fprintf(stderr, "invalid or unsupported event: '%s'\n", *str);
+	fprintf(stderr, "Run 'perf list' for a list of valid events\n");
 	return EVT_FAILED;
 
 modifier: