diff --git a/sbt-bridge/src/dotty/tools/xsbt/PositionBridge.java b/sbt-bridge/src/dotty/tools/xsbt/PositionBridge.java
index 075efd5b53e6..6b3c25e2e27c 100644
--- a/sbt-bridge/src/dotty/tools/xsbt/PositionBridge.java
+++ b/sbt-bridge/src/dotty/tools/xsbt/PositionBridge.java
@@ -123,7 +123,13 @@ public Optional<String> pointerSpace() {
 
   @Override
   public String toString() {
-      return pos.toString();
+    String path = sourcePath().orElse("");
+    Optional<Integer> l = line();
+    Integer column = pointer().orElse(1);
+    if (l.isPresent())
+      return String.format("%s:%d:%d", path, l.get(), column);
+    else
+      return path;
   }
   
   @Override