diff --git a/flist.c b/flist.c
index a814bd0c..bf8d124b 100644
--- a/flist.c
+++ b/flist.c
@@ -1877,7 +1877,8 @@ static NORETURN void fatal_unsafe_io_error(void)
 	/* This (sadly) can only happen when pushing data because
 	 * the sender does not know about what kind of delete
 	 * is in effect on the receiving side when pulling. */
-	rprintf(FERROR_XFER, "FATAL I/O ERROR: dying to avoid a --delete-during issue with a pre-3.0.7 receiver.\n");
+	rprintf(FERROR_XFER, "FATAL I/O ERROR: dying to avoid a --delete-%s issue with a pre-3.0.7 receiver.\n",
+		delete_during == 2 ? "delay" : "during");
 	exit_cleanup(RERR_UNSUPPORTED);
 }