diff --git a/sbin/ipfw/ipfw2.c b/sbin/ipfw/ipfw2.c
index c495c3a99c65..4e60e5b8f324 100644
--- a/sbin/ipfw/ipfw2.c
+++ b/sbin/ipfw/ipfw2.c
@@ -2592,12 +2592,12 @@ config_pipe(int ac, char **av)
 			    else if (p16 != NULL) {
 				    if (a > 0xFFFF)
 					    errx(EX_DATAERR,
-						"mask: must be 16 bit");
+						"port mask must be 16 bit");
 				    *p16 = (uint16_t)a;
 			    } else {
 				    if (a > 0xFF)
 					    errx(EX_DATAERR,
-						"mask: must be 8 bit");
+						"proto mask must be 8 bit");
 				    p.fs.flow_mask.proto = (uint8_t)a;
 			    }
 			    if (a != 0)