diff --git a/changes/fleetctl-prepare b/changes/fleetctl-prepare
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8e63ccec9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/fleetctl-prepare
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+* Add a message in `fleetctl` notifying that it's the wrong binary for `prepare` subcommands.
diff --git a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl.go b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl.go
index b5370cc346..f6f078f4be 100644
--- a/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl.go
+++ b/cmd/fleetctl/fleetctl.go
@@ -86,6 +86,15 @@ func createApp(reader io.Reader, writer io.Writer, exitErrHandler cli.ExitErrHan
 		hostsCommand(),
 		vulnerabilityDataStreamCommand(),
 		packageCommand(),
+		{
+			// It's become common for folks to unintentionally install fleetctl when they actually
+			// need the Fleet server. This is hopefully a more helpful error message.
+			Name:  "prepare",
+			Usage: "This is not the binary you're looking for. Please use the fleet server binary for prepare commands.",
+			Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
+				return errors.New("This is not the binary you're looking for. Please use the fleet server binary for prepare commands.")
+			},
+		},
 	}
 	return app
 }