diff --git a/tinygrad/nn/optim.py b/tinygrad/nn/optim.py
index dfe7a756be..a7991f0bbc 100644
--- a/tinygrad/nn/optim.py
+++ b/tinygrad/nn/optim.py
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ class Optimizer:
 
   def step(self): Tensor.realize(*self.schedule_step())
   def schedule_step(self) -> List[Tensor]:
-    assert Tensor.training, "Tensor.training should be set in the optimizer"
+    assert Tensor.training, (
+            f"""Tensor.training={Tensor.training}, Tensor.training must be enabled to use the optimizer.
+                - help: Consider setting Tensor.training=True before calling Optimizer.step().""")
     return self._step()+self.params+self.buffers
   def _step(self) -> List[Tensor]: raise NotImplementedError