diff --git a/json-path/src/main/java/com/jayway/jsonpath/internal/PathRef.java b/json-path/src/main/java/com/jayway/jsonpath/internal/PathRef.java
index 007f36bb..8fbc0b87 100644
--- a/json-path/src/main/java/com/jayway/jsonpath/internal/PathRef.java
+++ b/json-path/src/main/java/com/jayway/jsonpath/internal/PathRef.java
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ public abstract class PathRef implements Comparable<PathRef>  {
 
         @Override
         public void set(Object newVal, Configuration configuration) {
-            throw new InvalidModificationException("Invalid delete operation");
+            throw new InvalidModificationException("Invalid set operation");
         }
 
         public void convert(MapFunction mapFunction, Configuration configuration){