diff --git a/asyncoperations.lua b/asyncoperations.lua
index dfcde18..a9cb87b 100644
--- a/asyncoperations.lua
+++ b/asyncoperations.lua
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ end
 
 local function verify(str, errLevel)
 	if str:find("^:") or find("%s%z") then
-		error(("bad characters in '%s'"):format(str), errLevel)
+		error(("malformed parameter '%s' to irc command"):format(str), errLevel)
 	end
 
 	return str