diff --git a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/JournalReader.hs b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/JournalReader.hs
index 49d05f080..20128cc85 100644
--- a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/JournalReader.hs
+++ b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/JournalReader.hs
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ journalp = do
                            , fmap (return . addMarketPrice) marketpricedirectivep
                            , emptyorcommentlinep >> return (return id)
                            , multilinecommentp >> return (return id)
-                           ] <?> "journal transaction or directive"
+                           ] <?> "transaction or directive"
 
 --- ** directives