diff --git a/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py b/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
index 51c275f..6db06cc 100644
--- a/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
+++ b/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
@@ -930,7 +930,7 @@ class Interface(object):
         """Called when there is an exception updating the status."""
         _log.debug('Update error')
         _log.debug(str(exception))
-        message = _('%s\nPlease, try again.') % (message)
+        message = _('%s\nPlease, try again.') % (str(exception))
         error_win = gtk.MessageDialog(parent=self._main_window,
                 type=gtk.MESSAGE_ERROR,
                 message_format=message,
@@ -941,7 +941,7 @@ class Interface(object):
         # re-enable the update, or the user won't be able to repost their
         # message.
         self._action_group.get_action('Update').set_sensitive(True)
-        self._actionbar.volatile(_('Update failed.'), pair='update')
+        self._statusbar.volatile(_('Update failed.'), pair='update')
         return
 
     ### Results for the delete message call