diff --git a/server/src/api/controllers/authController.js b/server/src/api/controllers/authController.js
index 5fe8b2d..2d8cf15 100644
--- a/server/src/api/controllers/authController.js
+++ b/server/src/api/controllers/authController.js
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ export async function register(req, res, next) {
   if (await User.exists({ email })) {
     res.status(409).json({
       type: 'email',
-      message: 'username already exists',
+      message: 'email already exists',
     })
     return
   }