diff --git a/python/sglang/srt/configs/model_config.py b/python/sglang/srt/configs/model_config.py
index 540f13e91..285f7e554 100644
--- a/python/sglang/srt/configs/model_config.py
+++ b/python/sglang/srt/configs/model_config.py
@@ -590,14 +590,20 @@ class ModelConfig:
             return
 
         # Check if ModelOpt quantization is specified
-        modelopt_quantization_specified = self.quantization in [
+        _MODELOPT_QUANTIZATION_METHODS = [
             "modelopt",
             "modelopt_fp8",
             "modelopt_fp4",
         ]
+        modelopt_quantization_specified = (
+            self.quantization in _MODELOPT_QUANTIZATION_METHODS
+        )
 
         if not modelopt_quantization_specified:
-            raise ValueError("quantize_and_serve requires ModelOpt quantization")
+            raise ValueError(
+                "quantize_and_serve requires ModelOpt quantization (set with --quantization "
+                f"{{{', '.join(sorted(_MODELOPT_QUANTIZATION_METHODS))}}})"
+            )
 
         # quantize_and_serve is disabled due to compatibility issues
         raise NotImplementedError(