diff --git a/nomad/structs/structs.go b/nomad/structs/structs.go
index 8de720d52..c07ccf9ba 100644
--- a/nomad/structs/structs.go
+++ b/nomad/structs/structs.go
@@ -3079,7 +3079,7 @@ func (s *Service) Validate() error {
 	serviceNameStripped := args.ReplaceEnvWithPlaceHolder(s.Name, "ENV-VAR")
 
 	if err := s.ValidateName(serviceNameStripped); err != nil {
-		mErr.Errors = append(mErr.Errors, err)
+		mErr.Errors = append(mErr.Errors, fmt.Errorf("service name must be valid per RFC 1123 and can contain only alphanumeric characters or dashes: %q", s.Name))
 	}
 
 	switch s.AddressMode {