diff --git a/pagure/lib/__init__.py b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
index 923761a..dd0c511 100644
--- a/pagure/lib/__init__.py
+++ b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
@@ -1460,7 +1460,7 @@ def edit_issue(session, issue, ticketfolder, user, repo=None,
         old_private = issue.private
         issue.private = private
         edit.append('private')
-        msg = 'Issue private status set to: %s' % priority
+        msg = 'Issue private status set to: %s' % private
         if old_private:
             msg += ' (was: %s)' % old_private
         messages.append(msg)