diff --git a/x-pack/plugin/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/license/XPackLicenseState.java b/x-pack/plugin/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/license/XPackLicenseState.java
index 16c8c6f0a7d43..ea30e30ae3cd9 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugin/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/license/XPackLicenseState.java
+++ b/x-pack/plugin/core/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/license/XPackLicenseState.java
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ private static String[] beatsAcknowledgementMessages(OperationMode currentMode,
         switch (newMode) {
             case BASIC:
                 if (isBasic(currentMode) == false) {
-                    return new String[] { "Beats will no longer poll for centrally-managed configuration" };
+                    return new String[] { "Beats will no longer be able to use centrally-managed configuration" };
                 }
                 break;
         }