diff --git a/packages/discord/src/connector.mjs b/packages/discord/src/connector.mjs
index a99a96794..74833e4c3 100644
--- a/packages/discord/src/connector.mjs
+++ b/packages/discord/src/connector.mjs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ import { reloadDiff } from "./binding.mjs";
 import { envelope, splitReply } from "./context.mjs";
 import {
   ensureJournal, appendInbox, readInboxIds, appendOutbox, unresolvedOutbox, appendDrop,
-  writeTurn, appendAdmission, countAdmissionsOn, appendNotice, noticeOn, utcDate, stopRequested,
+  writeTurn, appendAdmission, countAdmissionsOn, appendNotice, noticeOn, utcDate, stopRequested, journalLabel,
 } from "./journal.mjs";
 import { RestOutcome } from "./rest.mjs";
 import { DiscordError } from "./errors.mjs";
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ ${status === "not-posted" ? APPROVAL_LINES.pressAgain : APPROVAL_LINES.failed}`;
     async start() {
       processing();
       if (state.started) throw new DiscordError("connector already started", 1);
-      if (stopRequested(journalDir)) throw new DiscordError(`STOP is present in ${journalDir}; remove it to run`, 1);
+      if (stopRequested(journalDir)) throw new DiscordError(`STOP is present in ${journalLabel(journalDir)}; remove it to run`, 1);
       const reconciled = await reconcile();
       const approvals = await reconcileApprovals();
       processing();
diff --git a/packages/discord/tests/connector.test.mjs b/packages/discord/tests/connector.test.mjs
index a12018c33..f8aab191d 100644
--- a/packages/discord/tests/connector.test.mjs
+++ b/packages/discord/tests/connector.test.mjs
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ test("restart: an inbox with three ids and a replay of the same three produces z
 test("stop: STOP present refuses start; STOP written while running refuses new turns and the current one finishes", async () => {
   const { journalDir, rest, engine, connector } = setup({ replies: [{ text: "done", delayMs: 30 }] });
   requestStop(journalDir, "test");
-  await assert.rejects(connector.start(), /STOP is present/);
+  await assert.rejects(connector.start(), (err) => /STOP is present/.test(err.message) && !err.message.includes(journalDir));
   assert.equal(engine.started, false);
   writeFileSync(join(journalDir, "STOP"), ""); // still present; clear it
   const { unlinkSync } = await import("node:fs");