diff --git a/awx/main/management/commands/remove_instance.py b/awx/main/management/commands/remove_instance.py
index bcbd757b41..6eb5c35a02 100644
--- a/awx/main/management/commands/remove_instance.py
+++ b/awx/main/management/commands/remove_instance.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommandInstance):
 
             # Sanity check: Do not remove the primary instance.
             if instance.primary:
-                raise CommandError('I cowardly refuse to remove the primary instance %s.' % instance_str(instance))
+                raise CommandError('Can not remove primary instance %s. Another instance must be promoted to primary first.' % instance_str(instance))
 
             # Remove the instance.
             instance.delete()