diff --git a/src/db/collection.cc b/src/db/collection.cc
index 14cb2f4..a2008f0 100644
--- a/src/db/collection.cc
+++ b/src/db/collection.cc
@@ -1987,7 +1987,8 @@ Status CollectionImpl::create() {
   }
   if (ailego::FileHelper::IsExist(path_.c_str())) {
     return Status::InvalidArgument("path validate failed: path[", path_,
-                                   "] exists");
+                                   "] exists, create expects a path that does "
+                                   "not exist");
   }
 
   // check schema