diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
index 06e20820cdff..6f69f8f46165 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
@@ -1570,7 +1570,15 @@ def _init_tests():
         warnings.warn(
             "matplotlib is not built with the correct FreeType version to run "
             "tests.  Set local_freetype=True in setup.cfg and rebuild. "
-            "Expect many image comparison failures below.")
+            "Expect many image comparison failures below. "
+            "Expected freetype version {0}. "
+            "Found freetype version {1}. "
+            "Freetype build type is {2}local".format(
+                ft2font.__freetype_version__,
+                LOCAL_FREETYPE_VERSION,
+                "" if ft2font.__freetype_build_type__ == 'local' else "not "
+            )
+        )
 
     try:
         import nose