diff --git a/subcmds/sync.py b/subcmds/sync.py
index 002d05f0..e9d52b7b 100644
--- a/subcmds/sync.py
+++ b/subcmds/sync.py
@@ -496,6 +496,8 @@ later is required to fix a server side protocol bug.
         sys.exit(1)
 
       manifest_server = self.manifest.manifest_server
+      if not opt.quiet:
+        print('Using manifest server %s' % manifest_server)
 
       if not '@' in manifest_server:
         username = None
@@ -564,7 +566,8 @@ later is required to fix a server side protocol bug.
             sys.exit(1)
           self._ReloadManifest(manifest_name)
         else:
-          print('error: %s' % manifest_str, file=sys.stderr)
+          print('error: manifest server RPC call failed: %s' %
+                manifest_str, file=sys.stderr)
           sys.exit(1)
       except (socket.error, IOError, xmlrpc.client.Fault) as e:
         print('error: cannot connect to manifest server %s:\n%s'