diff --git a/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/apple/cpp/AppleCcToolchain.java b/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/apple/cpp/AppleCcToolchain.java
index 8120fc4..67e2edc 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/apple/cpp/AppleCcToolchain.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/apple/cpp/AppleCcToolchain.java
@@ -145,7 +145,8 @@
     if (XcodeConfig.getXcodeConfigProvider(ruleContext).getXcodeVersion() == null) {
       ruleContext.throwWithRuleError(
           "Xcode version must be specified to use an Apple CROSSTOOL. If your Xcode version has "
-              + "changed recently, try: \"bazel clean --expunge\" to re-run Xcode configuration");
+              + "changed recently, verify that \"xcode-select -p\" is correct and then try: "
+              + "\"bazel shutdown\" to re-run Xcode configuration");
     }
   }
 }