diff --git a/lerobot/common/datasets/lerobot_dataset.py b/lerobot/common/datasets/lerobot_dataset.py
index e95f53c97..513a931bd 100644
--- a/lerobot/common/datasets/lerobot_dataset.py
+++ b/lerobot/common/datasets/lerobot_dataset.py
@@ -786,7 +786,9 @@ def create(
             or shapes is None
             or names is None
         ):
-            raise ValueError()
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Dataset info (robot_type, keys, shapes...) must either come from a Robot or explicitly passed upon creation."
+            )
 
         if len(video_keys) > 0 and not use_videos:
             raise ValueError