diff --git a/vault/core.go b/vault/core.go
index 66903db03..75df72601 100644
--- a/vault/core.go
+++ b/vault/core.go
@@ -1183,9 +1183,14 @@ func (c *Core) Seal(token string) (retErr error) {
 		}
 	}
 	if err != nil {
+		// Since there is no token store in standby nodes, sealing cannot
+		// be done. Ideally, the request has to be forwarded to leader node
+		// for validation and the operation should be performed. But for now,
+		// just returning with an error and recommending a vault restart, which
+		// essentially does the same thing.
 		if c.standby {
-			c.logger.Printf("[ERR] core: cannot seal the vault in standby mode")
-			return errors.New("Vault cannot be sealed in standby mode")
+			c.logger.Printf("[ERR] core: vault cannot be sealed when in standby mode; please restart instead")
+			return errors.New("vault cannot be sealed when in standby mode; please restart instead")
 		}
 		return err
 	}