diff --git a/openwhisk/executor.go b/openwhisk/executor.go
index 2744738a..233f3cfc 100644
--- a/openwhisk/executor.go
+++ b/openwhisk/executor.go
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ func (proc *Executor) Start(waitForAck bool) error {
 		return err
 	// process exited
 	case <-proc.exited:
-		return fmt.Errorf("command exited before ack")
+		return fmt.Errorf("Command exited abruptly during initialization.")
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/openwhisk/executor_test.go b/openwhisk/executor_test.go
index bae8962e..597643d5 100644
--- a/openwhisk/executor_test.go
+++ b/openwhisk/executor_test.go
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func ExampleNewExecutor_ack() {
 	proc.Stop()
 	dump(log)
 	// Output:
-	// command exited before ack
+	// Command exited abruptly during initialization.
 	// hi
 }