diff --git a/src/bhyve/bhyve_process.c b/src/bhyve/bhyve_process.c
index eee0c4bf1d..f8f072ff03 100644
--- a/src/bhyve/bhyve_process.c
+++ b/src/bhyve/bhyve_process.c
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ virBhyveProcessStartImpl(struct _bhyveConn *driver,
     if (unlink(driver->pidfile) < 0 &&
         errno != ENOENT) {
         virReportSystemError(errno,
-                             _("Cannot remove state PID file %s"),
+                             _("Cannot remove stale PID file %s"),
                              driver->pidfile);
         goto cleanup;
     }