diff --git a/rest_framework/relations.py b/rest_framework/relations.py
index 4d3bdba1d..feb878805 100644
--- a/rest_framework/relations.py
+++ b/rest_framework/relations.py
@@ -381,7 +381,9 @@ class HyperlinkedRelatedField(RelatedField):
                 'Could not resolve URL for hyperlinked relationship using '
                 'view name "%s". You may have failed to include the related '
                 'model in your API, or incorrectly configured the '
-                '`lookup_field` attribute on this field.'
+                '`lookup_field` attribute on this field, or perhaps your'
+                'data contains an empty value for the `lookup_field` you'
+                'specified.'
             )
             if value in ('', None):
                 value_string = {'': 'the empty string', None: 'None'}[value]