diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/intel.py b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/intel.py
index 858b4e37fb..524f3d8946 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/intel.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/build_systems/intel.py
@@ -786,7 +786,8 @@ def blas_libs(self):
         debug_print(mkl_libs)
 
         if len(mkl_libs) < 3:
-            raise_lib_error('Cannot locate core MKL libraries:', mkl_libnames)
+            raise_lib_error('Cannot locate core MKL libraries:', mkl_libnames,
+                            'in:', self.component_lib_dir('mkl'))
 
         # The Intel MKL link line advisor recommends these system libraries
         system_libs = find_system_libraries(