diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/swt.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/swt.go
index 5c96361f98..8f6ffa2690 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/swt.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/swt.go
@@ -162,8 +162,13 @@ func typecheckswitch(n *Node) {
 							yyerror("impossible type switch case: %L cannot have dynamic type %v"+
 								" (wrong type for %v method)\n\thave %v%S\n\twant %v%S", n.Left.Right, n1.Type, missing.Sym, have.Sym, have.Type, missing.Sym, missing.Type)
 						} else if !missing.Broke {
-							yyerror("impossible type switch case: %L cannot have dynamic type %v"+
-								" (missing %v method)", n.Left.Right, n1.Type, missing.Sym)
+							if ptr != 0 {
+								yyerror("impossible type switch case: %L cannot have dynamic type %v"+
+									" (%v method has pointer receiver)", n.Left.Right, n1.Type, missing.Sym)
+							} else {
+								yyerror("impossible type switch case: %L cannot have dynamic type %v"+
+									" (missing %v method)", n.Left.Right, n1.Type, missing.Sym)
+							}
 						}
 					}
 				}
diff --git a/test/switch6.go b/test/switch6.go
index 32392d8f73..9d102fef51 100644
--- a/test/switch6.go
+++ b/test/switch6.go
@@ -30,3 +30,17 @@ func f1(e interface{}) {
 	default: // ERROR "multiple defaults in switch"
 	}
 }
+
+type I interface {
+	Foo()
+}
+
+type X int
+
+func (*X) Foo() {}
+func f2() {
+	var i I
+	switch i.(type) {
+	case X: // ERROR "impossible type switch case: i \(type I\) cannot have dynamic type X \(Foo method has pointer receiver\)"
+	}
+}