diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py
index 2c3a8761ab..45f13e4463 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ def diy(self, args):
                 edit_package(spec.name, spack.repo.first_repo(), None, True)
                 return
 
-        if not spec.version.concrete:
-            tty.die("spack diy spec must have a single, concrete version.")
+        if not spec.versions.concrete:
+            tty.die("spack diy spec must have a single, concrete version.  Did you forget a package version number?")
 
         spec.concretize()
         package = spack.repo.get(spec)