diff --git a/numa.c b/numa.c
index aac22a9612..efc78b2f17 100644
--- a/numa.c
+++ b/numa.c
@@ -141,9 +141,8 @@ static void parse_numa_distance(NumaDistOptions *dist, Error **errp)
     uint8_t val = dist->val;
 
     if (src >= MAX_NODES || dst >= MAX_NODES) {
-        error_setg(errp,
-                   "Invalid node %d, max possible could be %d",
-                   MAX(src, dst), MAX_NODES);
+        error_setg(errp, "Parameter '%s' expects an integer between 0 and %d",
+                   src >= MAX_NODES ? "src" : "dst", MAX_NODES - 1);
         return;
     }