diff --git a/src/sage/homology/homology_vector_space_with_basis.py b/src/sage/homology/homology_vector_space_with_basis.py
index 40713cfdab7..632f9631052 100644
--- a/src/sage/homology/homology_vector_space_with_basis.py
+++ b/src/sage/homology/homology_vector_space_with_basis.py
@@ -1017,7 +1017,7 @@ def __init__(self, base_ring, cell_complex):
             sage: TestSuite(H).run()
         """
         if base_ring != GF(2):
-            raise ValueError
+            raise ValueError("the base ring must be GF(2)")
         category = Algebras(base_ring).WithBasis().Graded().FiniteDimensional()
         category = Category.join((category,
                                   LeftModules(SteenrodAlgebra(2)),