diff --git a/gracedb/api/v1/superevents/serializers.py b/gracedb/api/v1/superevents/serializers.py
index b1a75d27cf052d915ec56b2f2a8efbaebfa3d28e..87571cb9a2b98a99f59f576b34a3aa9855bd0e7e 100644
--- a/gracedb/api/v1/superevents/serializers.py
+++ b/gracedb/api/v1/superevents/serializers.py
@@ -466,8 +466,8 @@ class SupereventVOEventSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
                         'not have a gpstime.'),
         'skymap_file_required': _('Skymap filename is required for initial '
                                   'and update VOEvents.'),
-        'skymap_type_required': _('Skymap type is required for initial and '
-                                  'update VOEvents.'),
+        'skymap_type_required': _('Skymap type is required for VOEvents that '
+                                  'include a skymap.'),
         'skymap_not_found': _('Skymap file {filename} not found for this '
                               'superevent.'),
         'skymap_image_not_found': _('Skymap image file {filename} not found '