diff --git a/base/pkg.jl b/base/pkg.jl
index c80d24883454d..bb94ac82ee9de 100644
--- a/base/pkg.jl
+++ b/base/pkg.jl
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ add(pkg::String, vers::VersionNumber...) = add(pkg, VersionSet(vers...))
 init(meta::String=Dir.DEFAULT_META) = Dir.init(meta)
 
 edit(f::Function, pkg, args...) = Dir.cd() do
+    msg = ""
     r = Reqs.read("REQUIRE")
     reqs = Reqs.parse(r)
     avail = Read.available()
@@ -28,7 +29,10 @@ edit(f::Function, pkg, args...) = Dir.cd() do
         error("unknown package $pkg")
     end
     r_ = f(r,pkg,args...)
-    r_ == r && return info("Nothing to be done.")
+    r_ == r && begin
+        if (f == Reqs.rm) msg = " Cannot remove yet: $pkg is required by installed package." end
+        return info("Nothing to be done.$msg")
+        end
     reqs_ = Reqs.parse(r_)
     reqs_ != reqs && _resolve(reqs_,avail)
     Reqs.write("REQUIRE",r_)
@@ -362,4 +366,4 @@ end
 fixup() = Dir.cd(_fixup)
 fixup(pkg) = Dir.cd(()->_fixup(pkg))
 
-end # module
\ No newline at end of file
+end # module