diff --git a/src/dagmc.cpp b/src/dagmc.cpp
index b06db792e..129291891 100644
--- a/src/dagmc.cpp
+++ b/src/dagmc.cpp
@@ -498,8 +498,9 @@ void DAGUniverse::legacy_assign_material(
 
     // report failure for failed int conversion or missing material
     if (!found_by_id)
-      fatal_error(fmt::format(
-        "No material '{}' found for volume (cell) {}", mat_string, c->id_));
+      fatal_error(
+        fmt::format("Material with name/ID '{}' not found for volume (cell) {}",
+          mat_string, c->id_));
   }
 
   if (settings::verbosity >= 10) {
diff --git a/tests/regression_tests/dagmc/legacy/test.py b/tests/regression_tests/dagmc/legacy/test.py
index 706b52bea..502775148 100644
--- a/tests/regression_tests/dagmc/legacy/test.py
+++ b/tests/regression_tests/dagmc/legacy/test.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def test_missing_material_id(model):
     model.materials = model.materials[:-1]
     with pytest.raises(RuntimeError) as exec_info:
         model.run()
-    exp_error_msg = "Material with ID '41' not found for volume (cell) 3"
+    exp_error_msg = "Material with name/ID '41' not found for volume (cell) 3"
     assert exp_error_msg in str(exec_info.value)
 
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def test_missing_material_name(model):
     model.materials = model.materials[1:]
     with pytest.raises(RuntimeError) as exec_info:
         model.run()
-    exp_error_msg = "No material 'no-void fuel' found for volume (cell) 1"
+    exp_error_msg = "Material with name/ID 'no-void fuel' not found for volume (cell) 1"
     assert exp_error_msg in str(exec_info.value)