diff --git a/client/prefs.C b/client/prefs.C
index 8c1bf5f9ec..5c484ad68a 100644
--- a/client/prefs.C
+++ b/client/prefs.C
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ int GLOBAL_PREFS::parse(FILE* in, char* host_venue) {
         if (found_venue) {
             msg_printf(NULL, MSG_INFO, "General preferences: using preferences for venue %s\n", host_venue);
         } else {
-            msg_printf(NULL, MSG_INFO, "General preferences: can't find preferences for %s; using your default preferences\n", host_venue);
+            msg_printf(NULL, MSG_INFO, "General preferences: can't find special preferences for %s; using your default preferences\n", host_venue);
         }
     } else {
         msg_printf(NULL, MSG_INFO, "General preferences: no venue given; using your default general preferences\n");