diff --git a/docs/administration.md b/docs/administration.md
index 04b1f0b..a7cc691 100644
--- a/docs/administration.md
+++ b/docs/administration.md
@@ -4,7 +4,12 @@
 To prevent multiple harvests being performed concurrently for a collection, a lock file (`lock.json`) is written to a
 collection's base directory during a harvest. Harvesters check to see if the lock file is present before beginning.
 
-If a harvest fails, it is possible that the lock file is not removed. To force it to be removed, you can delete `lock.json`
+If a harvest raises a `LockedException` this indicates that a harvest is currently in process or a previous harvest
+exited uncleanly.
+
+If a collection is locked because multiple harvests are attempting to run concurrently then adjust the schedule.
+
+If a collection is locked because a previous harvest exited uncleanly, then force it be unlocked. To unlock, delete `lock.json`
 or execute `tweet_harvester`'s `aws unlock` command. For example:
 
         $ python3 tweet_harvester.py aws unlock twarc_cloud test_collection
diff --git a/twarccloud/harvester/collection_lock.py b/twarccloud/harvester/collection_lock.py
index 169fd6d..648626a 100644
--- a/twarccloud/harvester/collection_lock.py
+++ b/twarccloud/harvester/collection_lock.py
@@ -49,7 +49,9 @@ def __exit__(self, *args):
 
 
 class LockedException(Exception):
-    pass
+    def __init__(self):
+        Exception.__init__(self, 'Collection is locked. This is because a harvest is currently running or a harvest ' \
+                                 'terminated uncleanly.')
 
 
 # Returns True if lock file exists at the provided filepath.