diff --git a/x-pack/plugin/security/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/security/Security.java b/x-pack/plugin/security/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/security/Security.java
index 680ee6c2664b6..4f97fe673c2c8 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugin/security/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/security/Security.java
+++ b/x-pack/plugin/security/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/security/Security.java
@@ -1921,7 +1921,7 @@ public void reload(Settings settings) throws Exception {
 
             if (false == reloadExceptions.isEmpty()) {
                 final var combinedException = new ElasticsearchException(
-                    "secure settings reload failed for one or more security component"
+                    "secure settings reload failed for one or more security component(s)"
                 );
                 reloadExceptions.forEach(combinedException::addSuppressed);
                 throw combinedException;