diff --git a/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go b/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go
index 97930ae480..05127f570e 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) findBeaconAncestor() (uint64, error) {
 
 		h := d.skeleton.Header(check)
 		if h == nil {
-			return 0, fmt.Errorf("filled read skeleton header at number %d", check)
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("filled skeleton header is missing: %d", check)
 		} 
 		n := h.Number.Uint64()