diff --git a/src/Request/Request.php b/src/Request/Request.php
index f623709..f5b2e92 100644
--- a/src/Request/Request.php
+++ b/src/Request/Request.php
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ abstract class Request implements RequestInterface
         Assert::that($this->getOptions())->isArray();
 
         Assert::that( $this->getRecipientsList() )->isInstanceOf(RecipientsList::class)->notEmpty();
-        Assert::that( $this->getRecipientsList()->getRecipients())->notEmpty();
+        Assert::that( $this->getRecipientsList()->getRecipients())->notEmpty('request must contain a recipient');
         Assert::thatAll( $this->getRecipientsList() )->isInstanceOf( Recipient::class )->notEmpty();
 
         // optional properties