diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
index 1887134c5757d..263646d8347be 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
@@ -3342,7 +3342,10 @@ impl Target {
                 );
             }
             "arm" => {
-                check!(self.llvm_floatabi.is_some(), "ARM targets must specify their float ABI",)
+                check!(
+                    self.llvm_floatabi.is_some(),
+                    "ARM targets must set `llvm-floatabi` to `hard` or `soft`",
+                )
             }
             _ => {}
         }