diff --git a/packages/babel-core/src/transformation/file/options/option-manager.js b/packages/babel-core/src/transformation/file/options/option-manager.js
index 2412d561fa..58ad6d1387 100644
--- a/packages/babel-core/src/transformation/file/options/option-manager.js
+++ b/packages/babel-core/src/transformation/file/options/option-manager.js
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ export default class OptionManager {
           let presetOpts = require(presetLoc);
           this.mergeOptions(presetOpts, presetLoc, presetLoc, path.dirname(presetLoc));
         } else {
-          throw new Error("Couldn't find preset");
+          throw new Error(`Couldn't find preset ${JSON.stringify(val)}`);
         }
       } else if (typeof val === "object") {
         this.mergeOptions(val);