diff --git a/repertory/librepertory/src/app_config.cpp b/repertory/librepertory/src/app_config.cpp
index 26b865ad..6c86d74b 100644
--- a/repertory/librepertory/src/app_config.cpp
+++ b/repertory/librepertory/src/app_config.cpp
@@ -98,15 +98,18 @@ app_config::app_config(const provider_type &prov,
   set_host_config(host_cfg);
 
   if (not utils::file::directory(data_directory_).create_directory()) {
-    throw startup_exception("unable to create: " + data_directory_);
+    throw startup_exception(
+        fmt::format("unable to create data directory|sp|{}", data_directory_));
   }
 
   if (not utils::file::directory(cache_directory_).create_directory()) {
-    throw startup_exception("unable to create: " + cache_directory_);
+    throw startup_exception(fmt::format(
+        "unable to create cache directory|sp|{}", cache_directory_));
   }
 
   if (not utils::file::directory(log_directory_).create_directory()) {
-    throw startup_exception("unable to create: " + log_directory_);
+    throw startup_exception(
+        fmt::format("unable to create log directory|sp|{}", log_directory_));
   }
 
   if (not load()) {