diff --git a/eth/backend.go b/eth/backend.go
index 09559f0ac1..774ffaf248 100644
--- a/eth/backend.go
+++ b/eth/backend.go
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ type Ethereum struct {
 func New(stack *node.Node, config *ethconfig.Config) (*Ethereum, error) {
 	// Ensure configuration values are compatible and sane
 	if config.SyncMode == downloader.LightSync {
-		return nil, errors.New("can't run eth.Ethereum in light sync mode, use les.LightEthereum")
+		return nil, errors.New("can't run eth.Ethereum in light sync mode, light mode has been deprecated")
 	}
 	if !config.SyncMode.IsValid() {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid sync mode %d", config.SyncMode)