diff --git a/file.c b/file.c
index 1501af9a..39a8bc7a 100644
--- a/file.c
+++ b/file.c
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ remove_intermediates (sig)
 	  if (!f->dontcare)
 	    {
 	      if (sig)
-		error ("*** Deleting file `%s'", f->name);
+		error ("*** Deleting intermediate file `%s'", f->name);
 	      else if (!silent_flag)
 		{
 		  if (! doneany)