diff --git a/src/or/directory.c b/src/or/directory.c
index e0ddcc37e9..e221a9a42d 100644
--- a/src/or/directory.c
+++ b/src/or/directory.c
@@ -858,8 +858,7 @@ static int directory_handle_command(connection_t *conn) {
                              &headers, MAX_HEADERS_SIZE,
                              &body, &body_len, MAX_BODY_SIZE)) {
     case -1: /* overflow */
-      log_fn(LOG_WARN,"input too large. Failing.");
-/*XXX009 needs a better warn message */
+      log_fn(LOG_WARN,"Invalid input. Closing.");
       return -1;
     case 0:
       log_fn(LOG_DEBUG,"command not all here yet.");