diff --git a/cmd/geth/accountcmd.go b/cmd/geth/accountcmd.go
index 602eb1d642..0db5c4ce0f 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/accountcmd.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/accountcmd.go
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ func accountCreate(ctx *cli.Context) error {
 	scryptN, scryptP, keydir, err := cfg.Node.AccountConfig()
 
 	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("Failed to create account: %v", err)
+		utils.Fatalf("Failed to read configuration: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	password := getPassPhrase("Your new account is locked with a password. Please give a password. Do not forget this password.", true, 0, utils.MakePasswordList(ctx))