diff --git a/core/js/contactsmenu.js b/core/js/contactsmenu.js
index 8d08ea74f4c..9e7ec552830 100644
--- a/core/js/contactsmenu.js
+++ b/core/js/contactsmenu.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 	var ERROR_TEMPLATE = ''
 			+ '<div class="emptycontent">'
 			+ '    <div class="icon-search"></div>'
-			+ '    <h2>' + t('core', 'There was an error loading your contacts') + '</h2>'
+			+ '    <h2>' + t('core', 'Could not load your contacts') + '</h2>'
 			+ '</div>';
 	var CONTACT_TEMPLATE = ''
 			+ '{{#if contact.avatar}}'
diff --git a/core/js/tests/specs/contactsmenuSpec.js b/core/js/tests/specs/contactsmenuSpec.js
index 8e57dc35f01..3fa8671e2ac 100644
--- a/core/js/tests/specs/contactsmenuSpec.js
+++ b/core/js/tests/specs/contactsmenuSpec.js
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ describe('Contacts menu', function() {
 		fakeServer.respond();
 
 		opening.then(function() {
-			expect($menuEl.html()).toContain('There was an error loading your contacts');
+			expect($menuEl.html()).toContain('Could not load your contacts');
 			expect(console.error).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
 			done();
 		}, function(e) {