diff --git a/library/files/file b/library/files/file
index c861d14a1a..ddce2e558f 100644
--- a/library/files/file
+++ b/library/files/file
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def main():
                 module.fail_json(msg="absolute paths are required")
         elif prev_state == 'directory':
             if not force:
-                module.fail_json(path=path, msg='refusing to convert between %s and %s for %s' % (prev_state, state, src))
+                module.fail_json(path=path, msg='refusing to convert between %s and %s for %s' % (prev_state, state, path))
             elif len(os.listdir(path)) > 0:
                 # refuse to replace a directory that has files in it
                 module.fail_json(path=path, msg='the directory %s is not empty, refusing to convert it' % path)