diff --git a/arm.go b/arm.go
index 2ae4971..8363fc9 100644
--- a/arm.go
+++ b/arm.go
@@ -100,7 +100,10 @@ func (t *template) compileArm(name string, targets map[*nameBinding]nameTarget)
 	}
 	b := t.nameScope.lookup(a.head)
 	if grammar.HasSelector(a.tail) {
-		return a, fmt.Errorf("a path through name %q may not select a row; read it directly, {%s}, or bind the row to a name of its own", a.head, grammar.JoinSegments(append([]string{b.ref}, a.tail...)))
+		if !grammar.IsRef(b.ref) {
+			return a, fmt.Errorf("a path through name %q may not select a row; bind the row to a name of its own", a.head)
+		}
+		return a, fmt.Errorf("a path through name %q may not select a row; read the row without the name, {%s}, or bind it to a name of its own", a.head, grammar.JoinSegments(append([]string{b.ref}, a.tail...)))
 	}
 	target := targets[b]
 	full := append(target.tail[:len(target.tail):len(target.tail)], a.tail...)