diff --git a/pkg/volume/secret/secret.go b/pkg/volume/secret/secret.go
index 14485181f92..f50215f695d 100644
--- a/pkg/volume/secret/secret.go
+++ b/pkg/volume/secret/secret.go
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ func MakePayload(mappings []v1.KeyToPath, secret *v1.Secret, defaultMode *int32,
 				if optional {
 					continue
 				}
-				errMsg := "references non-existent secret key"
+				errMsg := fmt.Sprintf("references non-existent secret key: %s", ktp.Key)
 				klog.Errorf(errMsg)
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf(errMsg)
 			}