diff --git a/kyaml/setters2/settersutil/settercreator.go b/kyaml/setters2/settersutil/settercreator.go
index f49cf57ef..d6faea5a4 100644
--- a/kyaml/setters2/settersutil/settercreator.go
+++ b/kyaml/setters2/settersutil/settercreator.go
@@ -57,6 +57,9 @@ func (c SetterCreator) Create(openAPIPath, resourcesPath string) error {
 	if err := sd.AddToFile(openAPIPath); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if sd.Count == 0 {
+		fmt.Errorf("The setter you created does not match any fields.")
+	}
 
 	// Load the updated definitions
 	if err := openapi.AddSchemaFromFile(openAPIPath); err != nil {