diff --git a/docs/api/app.md b/docs/api/app.md
index e050a0e66bf..5759178bf40 100644
--- a/docs/api/app.md
+++ b/docs/api/app.md
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ them.
 
 Sets or creates a directory your app's logs which can then be manipulated with `app.getPath()` or `app.setPath(pathName, newPath)`.
 
-On _macOS_, this directory will be set by default to `/Library/Logs/YourAppName`, and on _Linux_ and _Windows_ it will be placed inside your `userData` directory.
+Calling `app.setAppLogsPath()` without a `path` parameter will result in this directory being set to `/Library/Logs/YourAppName` on _macOS_, and inside the `userData` directory on _Linux_ and _Windows_.
 
 ### `app.getAppPath()`
 
diff --git a/shell/browser/api/atom_api_app.cc b/shell/browser/api/atom_api_app.cc
index 8532119ec3d..b20ceebc8fc 100644
--- a/shell/browser/api/atom_api_app.cc
+++ b/shell/browser/api/atom_api_app.cc
@@ -871,8 +871,15 @@ base::FilePath App::GetPath(mate::Arguments* args, const std::string& name) {
   int key = GetPathConstant(name);
   if (key >= 0)
     succeed = base::PathService::Get(key, &path);
-  if (!succeed)
-    args->ThrowError("Failed to get '" + name + "' path");
+  if (!succeed) {
+    if (name == "logs") {
+      args->ThrowError("Failed to get '" + name +
+                       "' path: setAppLogsPath() must be called first.");
+    } else {
+      args->ThrowError("Failed to get '" + name + "' path");
+    }
+  }
+
   return path;
 }