diff --git a/crates/bevy_asset/src/io/file/file_watcher.rs b/crates/bevy_asset/src/io/file/file_watcher.rs
index fbed3f8a0ecbe..12793b738b93c 100644
--- a/crates/bevy_asset/src/io/file/file_watcher.rs
+++ b/crates/bevy_asset/src/io/file/file_watcher.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,13 @@ impl FileWatcher {
 impl AssetWatcher for FileWatcher {}
 
 pub(crate) fn get_asset_path(root: &Path, absolute_path: &Path) -> (PathBuf, bool) {
-    let relative_path = absolute_path.strip_prefix(root).unwrap();
+    let relative_path = absolute_path.strip_prefix(root).unwrap_or_else(|_| {
+        panic!(
+            "FileWatcher::get_asset_path() failed to strip prefix from absolute path: absolute_path={:?}, root={:?}",
+            absolute_path,
+            root
+        )
+    });
     let is_meta = relative_path
         .extension()
         .map(|e| e == "meta")