diff --git a/irctest/cases.py b/irctest/cases.py
index 93b5f39..d1f5127 100644
--- a/irctest/cases.py
+++ b/irctest/cases.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class _IrcTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         `subparams`, and `target` are given."""
         error = self.messageDiffers(msg, **kwargs)
         if error:
-            raise self.failureException(msg)
+            raise self.failureException(error)
 
     def messageEqual(self, msg, **kwargs):
         """Boolean negation of `messageDiffers` (returns a boolean,