diff --git a/release/scripts/pkg-stage.sh b/release/scripts/pkg-stage.sh
index 73c971fa7ee9..f2153f606757 100755
--- a/release/scripts/pkg-stage.sh
+++ b/release/scripts/pkg-stage.sh
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ x11/xorg"
 
 # If NOPORTS is set for the release, do not attempt to build pkg(8).
 if [ ! -f /usr/ports/Makefile ]; then
+	echo "*** /usr/ports is missing!    ***"
+	echo "*** Skipping pkg-stage.sh     ***"
+	echo "*** Unset NOPORTS to fix this ***"
 	exit 0
 fi