diff --git a/src/gui/editors/editcitation.py b/src/gui/editors/editcitation.py
index 4b9f162be..5ad798024 100644
--- a/src/gui/editors/editcitation.py
+++ b/src/gui/editors/editcitation.py
@@ -259,8 +259,14 @@ class EditCitation(EditPrimary):
         """
         self.ok_button.set_sensitive(False)
         if not self.obj.get_reference_handle():
-            ErrorDialog(_("Cannot save citation. No source selected."),
-                        _("Please select a source or cancel the edit."))
+            ErrorDialog(_("No source selected"),
+                        _("A source is anything (personal testimony, "
+                          "video recording, photograph, newspaper column, "
+                          "gravestone...) from which information can be "
+                          "derived. To create a citation, first select the "
+                          "required source, and then record the location of "
+                          "the information referenced within the source in the "
+                          "'Volume/Page' field."))
             self.ok_button.set_sensitive(True)
             return
         
diff --git a/src/gui/editors/objectentries.py b/src/gui/editors/objectentries.py
index cd98249d2..7c32891ce 100644
--- a/src/gui/editors/objectentries.py
+++ b/src/gui/editors/objectentries.py
@@ -306,9 +306,8 @@ class SourceEntry(ObjEntry):
     Handles the selection of a existing or new Source. Supports Drag and Drop
     to select a source.
     """
-    EMPTY_TEXT = "<i>%s</i>" % _('To select a source, use drag-and-drop '
-                                 'or use the buttons')
-    EMPTY_TEXT_RED = "<i>%s</i>" % _('No source given, click button to select one')
+    EMPTY_TEXT = "<i>%s</i>" % _('First add a source using the buttons')
+    EMPTY_TEXT_RED = "<i>%s</i>" % _('First add a source using the button')
     EDIT_STR = _('Edit source')
     SHARE_STR = _('Select an existing source')
     ADD_STR = _('Add a new source')