diff --git a/src/aare/daq/server.py b/src/aare/daq/server.py
index e7d32c3d..5525b715 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/server.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/server.py
@@ -94,7 +94,9 @@ async def _lock_hw():
         yield
     else:
         if not hardware_busy_lock.acquire(blocking=False):
-            raise BeamlineBusyException("Beamline hardware lock is held by another worker")
+            raise BeamlineBusyException(
+                "Beamline is busy with another operation. Please try again later."
+            )
         logger.debug("Hardware lock acquired by process")
         try:
             yield