diff --git a/compressai/datasets/image.py b/compressai/datasets/image.py
index 4b6de77c..6f40967f 100644
--- a/compressai/datasets/image.py
+++ b/compressai/datasets/image.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def __init__(self, root, transform=None, split="train"):
         splitdir = Path(root) / split
 
         if not splitdir.is_dir():
-            raise RuntimeError(f'Invalid directory "{root}"')
+            raise RuntimeError(f'Missing directory "{splitdir}"')
 
         self.samples = sorted(f for f in splitdir.iterdir() if f.is_file())
 
diff --git a/compressai/datasets/video.py b/compressai/datasets/video.py
index f1ae65e2..a828845c 100644
--- a/compressai/datasets/video.py
+++ b/compressai/datasets/video.py
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 # OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF
 # ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
-
 import random
 
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -91,10 +90,10 @@ def __init__(
         splitdir = Path(f"{root}/sequences")
 
         if not splitfile.is_file():
-            raise RuntimeError(f'Invalid file "{root}"')
+            raise RuntimeError(f'Missing file "{splitfile}"')
 
         if not splitdir.is_dir():
-            raise RuntimeError(f'Invalid directory "{root}"')
+            raise RuntimeError(f'Missing directory "{splitdir}"')
 
         with open(splitfile, "r") as f_in:
             self.sample_folders = [Path(f"{splitdir}/{f.strip()}") for f in f_in]