diff --git a/src/dotty/tools/dotc/typer/Checking.scala b/src/dotty/tools/dotc/typer/Checking.scala
index f28f3b09ac9b..b2d368e8c4be 100644
--- a/src/dotty/tools/dotc/typer/Checking.scala
+++ b/src/dotty/tools/dotc/typer/Checking.scala
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ trait Checking {
             def ofType = if (decl.isType) "" else d": ${other.info}"
             def explanation =
               if (!decl.isRealMethod) ""
-              else "\n (both definitions have the same erased type signature)"
+              else "\n (the definitions have matching type signatures)"
             ctx.error(d"$decl is already defined as $other$ofType$explanation", decl.pos)
           }
           if (decl is Synthetic) doubleDefError(other, decl)