diff --git a/CHANGES.rst b/CHANGES.rst
index d423aba9..dd4d2b62 100644
--- a/CHANGES.rst
+++ b/CHANGES.rst
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ Unreleased
 -   Relax type annotation for ``after_request`` functions. :issue:`4600`
 -   ``instance_path`` for namespace packages uses the path closest to
     the imported submodule. :issue:`4600`
+-   Clearer error message when ``render_template`` and
+    ``render_template_string`` are used outside an application context.
+    :pr:`4693`
 
 
 Version 2.1.2
diff --git a/src/flask/templating.py b/src/flask/templating.py
index b39adb77..507615c5 100644
--- a/src/flask/templating.py
+++ b/src/flask/templating.py
@@ -144,6 +144,12 @@ def render_template(
                     context of the template.
     """
     ctx = _app_ctx_stack.top
+
+    if ctx is None:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            "This function can only be used when an application context is active."
+        )
+
     ctx.app.update_template_context(context)
     return _render(
         ctx.app.jinja_env.get_or_select_template(template_name_or_list),
@@ -162,5 +168,11 @@ def render_template_string(source: str, **context: t.Any) -> str:
                     context of the template.
     """
     ctx = _app_ctx_stack.top
+
+    if ctx is None:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            "This function can only be used when an application context is active."
+        )
+
     ctx.app.update_template_context(context)
     return _render(ctx.app.jinja_env.from_string(source), context, ctx.app)