diff --git a/lib/asserts.js b/lib/asserts.js
index 487134801..f4df5a699 100644
--- a/lib/asserts.js
+++ b/lib/asserts.js
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ function decorate (t) {
   })
 
   t.addAssert('strictNotSame', 2, function (f, w, m, e) {
-    m = m || 'should be equivalent strictly'
+    m = m || 'should not be equivalent strictly'
     e.found = f
     e.doNotWant = w
     return this.notOk(tsame.strict(f, w), m, e)