diff --git a/cli/__snapshots__/cli_spec.js b/cli/__snapshots__/cli_spec.js
index d8ad47a54de0..5465cc92f7d9 100644
--- a/cli/__snapshots__/cli_spec.js
+++ b/cli/__snapshots__/cli_spec.js
@@ -368,9 +368,9 @@ exports['cli CYPRESS_ENV catches environment "foo" 1'] = `
   code: 11
   stderr:
   -------
-  Environment variable with reserved name "CYPRESS_ENV" was used.
+  The environment variable with the reserved name "CYPRESS_ENV" is set.
 
-  Remove "CYPRESS_ENV" variable and run Cypress again.
+  Unset the "CYPRESS_ENV" environment variable and run Cypress again.
 
   ----------
 
diff --git a/cli/lib/errors.js b/cli/lib/errors.js
index e4d964b6a062..ee45a1c21c4a 100644
--- a/cli/lib/errors.js
+++ b/cli/lib/errors.js
@@ -186,8 +186,8 @@ const unexpected = {
 
 const invalidCypressEnv = {
   description:
-    chalk.red('Environment variable with reserved name "CYPRESS_ENV" was used.'),
-  solution: chalk.red('Remove "CYPRESS_ENV" variable and run Cypress again.'),
+    chalk.red('The environment variable with the reserved name "CYPRESS_ENV" is set.'),
+  solution: chalk.red('Unset the "CYPRESS_ENV" environment variable and run Cypress again.'),
   exitCode: 11,
 }