diff --git a/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py b/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py
index a5471da4df..fb6d173be1 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/utils/_utils.py
@@ -2434,9 +2434,11 @@ class PlaylistEntries:
 
     @classmethod
     def parse_playlist_items(cls, string):
+        if string.startswith(',') or string.endswith(','):
+            raise ValueError('There is an invalid leading comma or a trailing comma')
         for segment in string.split(','):
             if not segment:
-                raise ValueError('There is two or more consecutive commas')
+                raise ValueError('There are two or more consecutive commas')
             mobj = cls.PLAYLIST_ITEMS_RE.fullmatch(segment)
             if not mobj:
                 raise ValueError(f'{segment!r} is not a valid specification')