diff --git a/src/pvrequest.cpp b/src/pvrequest.cpp
index fa4c82db5..02bc39a29 100644
--- a/src/pvrequest.cpp
+++ b/src/pvrequest.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ BitMask request2mask(const FieldDesc* desc, const Value& pvRequest)
     }
 
     if(!foundrequested)
-        throw std::runtime_error("Empty field selection");
+        throw std::runtime_error("pvRequest must select at least one field");
 
     if(ret.findSet(1)==ret.size()) {
         // empty mask is wildcard
diff --git a/test/testget.cpp b/test/testget.cpp
index 97e80914f..bd722d63c 100644
--- a/test/testget.cpp
+++ b/test/testget.cpp
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ struct Tester {
                 .field("invalid")
                 .exec();
 
-        testThrowsMatch<std::runtime_error>("Empty field selection", [&op]() {
+        testThrowsMatch<std::runtime_error>("pvRequest must select at least one field", [&op]() {
             testShow()<<op->wait(4.0);
         })<<" pvRequest selects no fields";
     }