diff --git a/src/cmd/go/pkg.go b/src/cmd/go/pkg.go
index 62533b3e018..c9c4e2d779b 100644
--- a/src/cmd/go/pkg.go
+++ b/src/cmd/go/pkg.go
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ func reusePackage(p *Package, stk *importStack) *Package {
 		if p.Error == nil {
 			p.Error = &PackageError{
 				ImportStack: stk.copy(),
-				Err:         "import loop",
+				Err:         "import cycle not allowed",
 			}
 		}
 		p.Incomplete = true