diff --git a/usr.bin/find/option.c b/usr.bin/find/option.c
index b2374e6d8d1..f8745b24c2c 100644
--- a/usr.bin/find/option.c
+++ b/usr.bin/find/option.c
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ find_create(char ***argvp)
 	argv = *argvp;
 
 	if ((p = lookup_option(*argv)) == NULL)
-		errx(1, "%s: unknown option", *argv);
+		errx(1, "%s: unknown primary or operator", *argv);
 	++argv;
 
 	new = (p->create)(p, &argv);