diff --git a/cubi-tools/prototypes/update_metadata.py b/cubi-tools/prototypes/update_metadata.py
index f01eedc..b53c7c5 100755
--- a/cubi-tools/prototypes/update_metadata.py
+++ b/cubi-tools/prototypes/update_metadata.py
@@ -37,14 +37,14 @@ def main():
     if ref_repo != DEFAULT_REF_REPO:
         metadata_branch = pathlib.Path(args.ref_repo).resolve()
         if not metadata_branch.is_dir():
-            raise FileNotFoundError(f"The project directory {metadata_branch} does not exist.")
-        print(f"Project directory set as: {metadata_branch}")
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"The reference directory {metadata_branch} does not exist.")
+        print(f"Reference directory set as: {metadata_branch}")
     else:
         metadata_branch = pathlib.Path(
             pathlib.Path(f"{working_dir}").resolve().parents[0],
             "template-metadata-files",
         ).resolve()
-        print(f"Project directory set as: {metadata_branch}")
+        print(f"Reference directory set as: {metadata_branch}")
 
     # detect if its a external workflow
     if external: