diff --git a/django_mongodb_backend/fields/embedded_model.py b/django_mongodb_backend/fields/embedded_model.py
index 3bb1324ae..6d3d35800 100644
--- a/django_mongodb_backend/fields/embedded_model.py
+++ b/django_mongodb_backend/fields/embedded_model.py
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
+import difflib
+
 from django.core import checks
+from django.core.exceptions import FieldDoesNotExist
 from django.db import models
 from django.db.models.fields.related import lazy_related_operation
 from django.db.models.lookups import Transform
@@ -123,7 +126,8 @@ def get_transform(self, name):
         transform = super().get_transform(name)
         if transform:
             return transform
-        return KeyTransformFactory(name)
+        field = self.embedded_model._meta.get_field(name)
+        return KeyTransformFactory(name, field)
 
     def validate(self, value, model_instance):
         super().validate(value, model_instance)
@@ -145,9 +149,36 @@ def formfield(self, **kwargs):
 
 
 class KeyTransform(Transform):
-    def __init__(self, key_name, *args, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, key_name, ref_field, *args, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         self.key_name = str(key_name)
+        self.ref_field = ref_field
+
+    def get_transform(self, name):
+        """
+        Validate that `name` is either a field of an embedded model or a
+        lookup on an embedded model's field.
+        """
+        result = None
+        if isinstance(self.ref_field, EmbeddedModelField):
+            opts = self.ref_field.embedded_model._meta
+            new_field = opts.get_field(name)
+            result = KeyTransformFactory(name, new_field)
+        else:
+            if self.ref_field.get_transform(name) is None:
+                suggested_lookups = difflib.get_close_matches(name, self.ref_field.get_lookups())
+                if suggested_lookups:
+                    suggested_lookups = " or ".join(suggested_lookups)
+                    suggestion = f", perhaps you meant {suggested_lookups}?"
+                else:
+                    suggestion = "."
+                raise FieldDoesNotExist(
+                    f"Unsupported lookup '{name}' for "
+                    f"{self.ref_field.__class__.__name__} '{self.ref_field.name}'"
+                    f"{suggestion}"
+                )
+            result = KeyTransformFactory(name, self.ref_field)
+        return result
 
     def preprocess_lhs(self, compiler, connection):
         key_transforms = [self.key_name]
@@ -165,8 +196,9 @@ def as_mql(self, compiler, connection):
 
 
 class KeyTransformFactory:
-    def __init__(self, key_name):
+    def __init__(self, key_name, ref_field):
         self.key_name = key_name
+        self.ref_field = ref_field
 
     def __call__(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        return KeyTransform(self.key_name, *args, **kwargs)
+        return KeyTransform(self.key_name, self.ref_field, *args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/model_fields_/test_embedded_model.py b/tests/model_fields_/test_embedded_model.py
index 10cd84f89..2f5fb1d27 100644
--- a/tests/model_fields_/test_embedded_model.py
+++ b/tests/model_fields_/test_embedded_model.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import operator
 
-from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
+from django.core.exceptions import FieldDoesNotExist, ValidationError
 from django.db import models
 from django.db.models import ExpressionWrapper, F, Max, Sum
 from django.test import SimpleTestCase, TestCase
@@ -147,6 +147,41 @@ def test_nested(self):
         self.assertCountEqual(Book.objects.filter(author__address__city="NYC"), [obj])
 
 
+class InvalidLookupTests(SimpleTestCase):
+    def test_invalid_field(self):
+        msg = "Author has no field named 'first_name'"
+        with self.assertRaisesMessage(FieldDoesNotExist, msg):
+            Book.objects.filter(author__first_name="Bob")
+
+    def test_invalid_field_nested(self):
+        msg = "Address has no field named 'floor'"
+        with self.assertRaisesMessage(FieldDoesNotExist, msg):
+            Book.objects.filter(author__address__floor="NYC")
+
+    def test_invalid_lookup(self):
+        msg = "Unsupported lookup 'foo' for CharField 'city'."
+        with self.assertRaisesMessage(FieldDoesNotExist, msg):
+            Book.objects.filter(author__address__city__foo="NYC")
+
+    def test_invalid_lookup_with_suggestions(self):
+        msg = (
+            "Unsupported lookup '{lookup}' for CharField 'name', "
+            "perhaps you meant {suggested_lookups}?"
+        )
+        with self.assertRaisesMessage(
+            FieldDoesNotExist, msg.format(lookup="exactly", suggested_lookups="exact or iexact")
+        ):
+            Book.objects.filter(author__name__exactly="NYC")
+        with self.assertRaisesMessage(
+            FieldDoesNotExist, msg.format(lookup="gti", suggested_lookups="gt or gte")
+        ):
+            Book.objects.filter(author__name__gti="NYC")
+        with self.assertRaisesMessage(
+            FieldDoesNotExist, msg.format(lookup="is_null", suggested_lookups="isnull")
+        ):
+            Book.objects.filter(author__name__is_null="NYC")
+
+
 @isolate_apps("model_fields_")
 class CheckTests(SimpleTestCase):
     def test_no_relational_fields(self):