diff --git a/libcoveweb2/utils.py b/libcoveweb2/utils.py
index 1806a98..07b1425 100644
--- a/libcoveweb2/utils.py
+++ b/libcoveweb2/utils.py
@@ -38,4 +38,11 @@ def get_file_type_for_flatten_tool(supplied_data_file: SuppliedDataFile):
     except FileNotFoundError:
         pass
     # All right, we give up.
-    raise
+    raise Exception(
+        "Could not get file type for file "
+        + str(supplied_data_file.id)
+        + " with file name"
+        + str(supplied_data_file.filename)
+        + " and content type "
+        + str(supplied_data_file.content_type)
+    )