diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/notif.html b/synapse/res/templates/notif.html
index 8f1388cc68..6d76064d13 100644
--- a/synapse/res/templates/notif.html
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/notif.html
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
                     {%- elif message.msgtype == "m.file" %}
                         <span class="filename">{{ message.body_text_plain }}</span>
                     {%- else %}
-                        An unknown event.
+                        A message with unrecognised content.
                     {%- endif %}
                 {%- endif %}
             </div>
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/notif.txt b/synapse/res/templates/notif.txt
index 0ce9f9e52a..1ee7da3c50 100644
--- a/synapse/res/templates/notif.txt
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/notif.txt
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ An encrypted message.
 {%- elif message.msgtype == "m.file" %}
 {{ message.body_text_plain }}
 {%- else %}
-An unknown event.
+A message with unrecognised content.
 {%- endif %}
 {%- endif %}
 {%- endfor %}