diff --git a/internal/provider/protonvpn/portforward.go b/internal/provider/protonvpn/portforward.go
index 9afcad04..f04d73a8 100644
--- a/internal/provider/protonvpn/portforward.go
+++ b/internal/provider/protonvpn/portforward.go
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ func (p *Provider) PortForward(ctx context.Context, objects utils.PortForwardObj
 	_, externalIPv4Address, err := client.ExternalAddress(ctx,
 		objects.Gateway)
 	if err != nil {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(err.Error(), "connection refused") {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("%w - make sure you have +pmp at the end of your OpenVPN username", err)
+		}
 		return 0, fmt.Errorf("getting external IPv4 address: %w", err)
 	}