diff --git a/.changeset/smart-ants-compete.md b/.changeset/smart-ants-compete.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..63a1d5ddb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/smart-ants-compete.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@medusajs/medusa": patch
+---
+
+fix(medusa): improve error message on incorrect service export
diff --git a/packages/medusa/src/loaders/plugins.ts b/packages/medusa/src/loaders/plugins.ts
index 1e21f1f8cb..97e2399837 100644
--- a/packages/medusa/src/loaders/plugins.ts
+++ b/packages/medusa/src/loaders/plugins.ts
@@ -469,6 +469,12 @@ export async function registerServices(
       const loaded = require(fn).default
       const name = formatRegistrationName(fn)
 
+      if (typeof loaded !== "function") {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Cannot register ${name}. Make sure to default export a service class in ${fn}`
+        )
+      }
+
       const context = { container, pluginDetails, registrationName: name }
 
       registerPaymentProcessorFromClass(loaded, context)