diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/xblock/runtime/shims.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/xblock/runtime/shims.py
index 41b028de4294..4ead81f0ea80 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/xblock/runtime/shims.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/xblock/runtime/shims.py
@@ -161,7 +161,9 @@ def render_template(self, template_name, dictionary, namespace='main'):
         """
         warnings.warn(
             "Use of runtime.render_template is deprecated. "
-            "Use xblockutils.resources.ResourceLoader.render_mako_template or a JavaScript-based template instead.",
+            "For template files included with your XBlock (which is preferable), use "
+            "xblockutils.resources.ResourceLoader.render_mako_template to render them, or use a JavaScript-based "
+            "template instead. For template files that are part of the LMS/Studio, use the 'mako' XBlock service.",
             DeprecationWarning, stacklevel=2,
         )
         try: