diff --git a/install/install.ps1 b/install/install.ps1
index 6d944823..5308dc17 100755
--- a/install/install.ps1
+++ b/install/install.ps1
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ else {
 Write-Output "Creating $DaprRoot directory"
 New-Item -ErrorAction Ignore -Path $DaprRoot -ItemType "directory"
 if (!(Test-Path $DaprRoot -PathType Container)) {
+    Write-Warning "Please visit https://docs.dapr.io/getting-started/install-dapr-cli/ for instructions on how to install without admin rights."
     throw "Cannot create $DaprRoot"
 }
 
diff --git a/install/install.sh b/install/install.sh
index 067e9f34..faf04bc8 100755
--- a/install/install.sh
+++ b/install/install.sh
@@ -69,7 +69,10 @@ runAsRoot() {
         CMD="sudo $CMD"
     fi
 
-    $CMD
+    $CMD || {
+        echo "Please visit https://docs.dapr.io/getting-started/install-dapr-cli/ for instructions on how to install without sudo."
+        exit 1
+    }
 }
 
 checkHttpRequestCLI() {