diff --git a/src/geo.c b/src/geo.c
index c2e963f6..37d63281 100644
--- a/src/geo.c
+++ b/src/geo.c
@@ -600,11 +600,11 @@ void geoDecodeCommand(redisClient *c) {
 /* GEOENCODE long lat [radius unit] */
 void geoEncodeCommand(redisClient *c) {
     double radius_meters = 0;
-    if (c->argc >= 5) {
+    if (c->argc == 5) {
         if ((radius_meters = extractDistanceOrReply(c, c->argv + 3, NULL)) < 0)
             return;
-    } else if (c->argc == 4) {
-        addReplyError(c, "must provide units when asking for radius encode");
+    } else if (c->argc == 4 || c->argc > 5) {
+        addReplyError(c, "syntax error, try: GEOENCODE x y [radius unit]");
         return;
     }