diff --git a/crates/uv-resolver/src/pubgrub/report.rs b/crates/uv-resolver/src/pubgrub/report.rs
index 48b7b60e7..d2c1b46b7 100644
--- a/crates/uv-resolver/src/pubgrub/report.rs
+++ b/crates/uv-resolver/src/pubgrub/report.rs
@@ -1549,7 +1549,7 @@ impl std::fmt::Display for PubGrubHint {
             Self::ForbiddenIndex { index } => {
                 write!(
                     f,
-                    "{}{} An index URL ({}) could not be queried due to a lack of valid authentication credentials ({}).",
+                    "{}{} An index URL ({}) returned a {} error. This could indicate lack of valid authentication credentials, or the package may not exist on this index.",
                     "hint".bold().cyan(),
                     ":".bold(),
                     index.without_credentials().cyan(),
diff --git a/crates/uv/tests/it/edit.rs b/crates/uv/tests/it/edit.rs
index f051bf3c3..603b846a0 100644
--- a/crates/uv/tests/it/edit.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/tests/it/edit.rs
@@ -12491,7 +12491,7 @@ fn add_empty_ignore_error_codes() -> Result<()> {
       × No solution found when resolving dependencies:
       ╰─▶ Because flask was not found in the package registry and your project depends on flask, we can conclude that your project's requirements are unsatisfiable.
 
-          hint: An index URL (https://download.pytorch.org/whl/cpu) could not be queried due to a lack of valid authentication credentials (403 Forbidden).
+          hint: An index URL (https://download.pytorch.org/whl/cpu) returned a 403 Forbidden error. This could indicate lack of valid authentication credentials, or the package may not exist on this index.
       help: If you want to add the package regardless of the failed resolution, provide the `--frozen` flag to skip locking and syncing.
     "
     );