diff --git a/weed/shell/command_ec_balance.go b/weed/shell/command_ec_balance.go
index bb280b7d9..7117f52df 100644
--- a/weed/shell/command_ec_balance.go
+++ b/weed/shell/command_ec_balance.go
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ func balanceEcVolumes(commandEnv *CommandEnv, collection string, allEcNodes []*E
 	}
 
 	if err := balanceEcShardsWithinRacks(commandEnv, allEcNodes, racks, collection, applyBalancing); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("balance across racks collection %s ec shards: %v", collection, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("balance within racks collection %s ec shards: %v", collection, err)
 	}
 
 	return nil