diff --git a/src/p_lx_elf.cpp b/src/p_lx_elf.cpp
index 97a4c2bb..5e870250 100644
--- a/src/p_lx_elf.cpp
+++ b/src/p_lx_elf.cpp
@@ -1600,7 +1600,7 @@ bool PackLinuxElf32::canPack()
             goto proceed;  // But proper packing depends on checking xct_va.
         }
         else
-            infoWarning("no DT_INIT or JNI_OnLoad: %s", fi->getName());
+            throwCantPack("need DT_INIT; try \"void _init(void){}\"");
 abandon:
         return false;
 proceed: ;
@@ -1792,6 +1792,8 @@ PackLinuxElf64ppcle::canPack()
             xct_off = elf_get_offset_from_address(xct_va);
             goto proceed;  // But proper packing depends on checking xct_va.
         }
+        else
+            throwCantPack("need DT_INIT; try \"void _init(void){}\"");
 abandon:
         return false;
 proceed: ;
@@ -1984,6 +1986,8 @@ PackLinuxElf64amd::canPack()
             xct_off = elf_get_offset_from_address(xct_va);
             goto proceed;  // But proper packing depends on checking xct_va.
         }
+        else
+            throwCantPack("need DT_INIT; try \"void _init(void){}\"");
 abandon:
         return false;
 proceed: ;