diff --git a/manifest_xml.py b/manifest_xml.py
index 7e71960..6dc01a4 100644
--- a/manifest_xml.py
+++ b/manifest_xml.py
@@ -303,6 +303,9 @@
       if p.sync_s:
         e.setAttribute('sync-s', 'true')
 
+      if p.clone_depth:
+        e.setAttribute('clone-depth', str(p.clone_depth))
+
       if p.subprojects:
         subprojects = set(subp.name for subp in p.subprojects)
         output_projects(p, e, list(sorted(subprojects)))
diff --git a/project.py b/project.py
index ac60ccc..d82f3d7 100644
--- a/project.py
+++ b/project.py
@@ -2320,7 +2320,10 @@
         # Fail if the links are pointing to the wrong place
         if src != dst:
           raise GitError('--force-sync not enabled; cannot overwrite a local '
-                         'work tree')
+                         'work tree. If you\'re comfortable with the '
+                         'possibility of losing the work tree\'s git metadata,'
+                         ' use `repo sync --force-sync {0}` to '
+                         'proceed.'.format(self.relpath))
 
   def _ReferenceGitDir(self, gitdir, dotgit, share_refs, copy_all):
     """Update |dotgit| to reference |gitdir|, using symlinks where possible.