diff --git a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/TypeErrors.scala b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/TypeErrors.scala
index 79d1cecbd6be..11e313c47932 100644
--- a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/TypeErrors.scala
+++ b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/TypeErrors.scala
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class MissingType(val pre: Type, val name: Name)(using Context) extends TypeErro
            |or the self type of $pre might not contain all transitive dependencies"""
       case _ if givenSelf.exists && givenSelf.member(name).exists =>
         i"""$name exists as a member of the self type $givenSelf of $cls
-           |but it cannot be referenced from a scope that does not extend that ${ctx.printer.kindString(cls)}"""
+           |but it cannot be called on a receiver whose type does not extend $cls"""
       case _ =>
         missingClassFile