diff --git a/synapse/handlers/admin.py b/synapse/handlers/admin.py
index def7b5370c..49af2cf5e0 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/admin.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/admin.py
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ class AdminHandler:
                             "prev_state_events", None
                         )
                         assert prev_state_events is not None, (
-                            "Parent event of redaction has no `prev_state_events` which should be impossible as `prev_state_events` is a required event in MSC4242 rooms"
+                            "Parent event of redaction has no `prev_state_events` which should be impossible as `prev_state_events` is a required field in MSC4242 rooms"
                         )
                     # set the prev event to the offending message to allow for redactions
                     # to be processed in the case where the user has been kicked/banned before