diff --git a/lazy/init.go b/lazy/init.go
index 2fef027cf..7f6c5b08c 100644
--- a/lazy/init.go
+++ b/lazy/init.go
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func (ini *Init) withTimeout(timeout time.Duration, f func(ctx context.Context)
 
 	select {
 	case <-ctx.Done():
-		return nil, errors.New("timed out initializing value. This is most likely a circular loop in a shortcode")
+		return nil, errors.New("timed out initializing value. You may have a circular loop in a shortcode, or your site may have resources that take longer to build than the `timeout` limit in your Hugo config file.")
 	case ve := <-c:
 		return ve.v, ve.err
 	}