diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c
index 0466c63e8..0583f0fc7 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c
@@ -1494,9 +1494,14 @@ checkCoreInputDevices(serverLayoutPtr servlayoutp, Bool implicitLayout)
     }
 
     if (xf86Info.allowEmptyInput && !(foundPointer && foundKeyboard)) {
+#ifdef CONFIG_HAL
 	xf86Msg(X_INFO, "The server relies on HAL to provide the list of "
 	                "input devices.\n\tIf no devices become available, "
 	                "reconfigure HAL or disable AllowEmptyInput.\n");
+#else
+	xf86Msg(X_INFO, "HAL is disabled and no input devices were configured.\n"
+			"\tTry disabling AllowEmptyInput.\n");
+#endif
     }
 
     return TRUE;