diff --git a/backend/init/mongodb.js b/backend/init/mongodb.js
index afcf637fc..99ba4f613 100644
--- a/backend/init/mongodb.js
+++ b/backend/init/mongodb.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ module.exports = {
       });
   },
   mongoDB() {
-    if (!mongoClient) throw new Error("Database is offline");
+    if (!mongoClient) throw new Error("Could not connect to the database");
     return mongoClient.db(process.env.DB_NAME);
   },
 };