diff --git a/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/omny/omny_sample_transfer_mixin.py b/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/omny/omny_sample_transfer_mixin.py
index e0703aed..4e6bbdd0 100644
--- a/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/omny/omny_sample_transfer_mixin.py
+++ b/csaxs_bec/bec_ipython_client/plugins/omny/omny_sample_transfer_mixin.py
@@ -793,7 +793,10 @@ class OMNYSampleTransferMixin:
         self.transfer_step = 0
         self._otransfer_check_sensor_connected()
         if not self._otransfer_check_free_slot_available_at_position(pin_position, 0):
-            raise OMNYTransferError(f"position {pin_position} is not free")
+            raise OMNYTransferError(
+                f"position {pin_position} is not free, or no shuttle is parked at the"
+                " active parking position"
+            )
 
         #    global _ogalil_encoder_steps_per_mm
         if pin_position == 0:
@@ -940,7 +943,10 @@ class OMNYSampleTransferMixin:
 
         self._otransfer_check_sensor_connected()
         if not self._otransfer_check_sample_available_at_position(pin_position, 0):
-            raise OMNYTransferError(f"There is no sample available at position {pin_position}")
+            raise OMNYTransferError(
+                f"There is no sample available at position {pin_position}, or no shuttle is"
+                " parked at the active parking position"
+            )
 
         # global _otransy_approach_height
         # global _ogalil_encoder_steps_per_mm