diff --git a/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/resident_runner.dart b/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/resident_runner.dart
index eecb0571737..12ccd7b8d45 100644
--- a/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/resident_runner.dart
+++ b/packages/flutter_tools/lib/src/resident_runner.dart
@@ -508,7 +508,9 @@ abstract class ResidentRunner {
   bool get supportsRestart => false;
 
   Future<OperationResult> restart({ bool fullRestart = false, bool pauseAfterRestart = false, String reason }) {
-    throw 'unsupported';
+    final String mode = isRunningProfile ? 'profile' :
+        isRunningRelease ? 'release' : 'this';
+    throw '${fullRestart ? 'Restart' : 'Reload'} is not supported in $mode mode';
   }
 
   Future<void> stop() async {