diff --git a/packages/server/src/arpa_reporter/services/validate-upload.js b/packages/server/src/arpa_reporter/services/validate-upload.js
index d795e00b8..e049aad7b 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/arpa_reporter/services/validate-upload.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/arpa_reporter/services/validate-upload.js
@@ -326,9 +326,9 @@ async function validateRecord({ upload, record, typeRules: rules }) {
                 const lcItems = rule.listVals.map((val) => multiselect(val.toLowerCase()));
 
                 // for pick lists, the value must be one of possible values
-                if (rule.dataType === 'Pick List' && !lcItems.includes(value)) {
+                if (rule.dataType === 'Pick List' && !lcItems.includes(multiselect(value))) {
                     errors.push(new ValidationError(
-                        `Value for ${key} ('${value}') must be one of ${lcItems.length} options in the input template`,
+                        `Value for ${key} ('${value}') must be one of ${lcItems.length} valid options in the input template. (${JSON.stringify(lcItems)})`,
                         { col: rule.columnName, severity: 'err' },
                     ));
                 }
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ async function validateRecord({ upload, record, typeRules: rules }) {
                     for (const entry of entries) {
                         if (!lcItems.includes(entry)) {
                             errors.push(new ValidationError(
-                                `Entry '${entry}' of ${key} is not one of ${lcItems.length} valid options`,
+                                `Entry '${entry}' of ${key} is not one of ${lcItems.length} valid options (${JSON.stringify(lcItems)})`,
                                 { col: rule.columnName, severity: 'err' },
                             ));
                         }