diff --git a/app/models/upload.rb b/app/models/upload.rb
index cd2523601..2b886398b 100644
--- a/app/models/upload.rb
+++ b/app/models/upload.rb
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class Upload < ActiveRecord::Base
   module ValidationMethods
     def uploader_is_not_limited
       if !uploader.can_upload?
-        raise Error.new("uploader has reached their daily limit")
+        raise Error.new(uploader.upload_limited_reason)
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/app/models/user.rb b/app/models/user.rb
index 96cc500a7..2574710d2 100644
--- a/app/models/user.rb
+++ b/app/models/user.rb
@@ -375,6 +375,16 @@ class User < ActiveRecord::Base
       end
     end
     
+    def upload_limited_reason
+      if created_at > 1.week.ago
+        "You cannot upload during your first week of registration"
+      elsif upload_limit <= 0
+        "You can only upload #{upload_limit} posts a day"
+      else
+        nil
+      end
+    end
+    
     def can_comment?
       if is_privileged?
         true