diff --git a/core/modules/system/system.install b/core/modules/system/system.install
index b9c1b83..7586d22 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/system.install
+++ b/core/modules/system/system.install
@@ -407,12 +407,12 @@ function system_requirements($phase) {
       }
       // The files directory requirement check is done only during install and runtime.
       if ($phase == 'runtime') {
-        $description = $error . t('You may need to set the correct directory at the <a href="@admin-file-system">file system settings page</a> or change the current directory\'s permissions so that it is writable.', array('@admin-file-system' => url('admin/config/media/file-system')));
+        $description = t('!error You may need to set the correct directory at the <a href="@admin-file-system">file system settings page</a> or change the current directory\'s permissions so that it is writable.', array('!error' => $error, '@admin-file-system' => url('admin/config/media/file-system')));
       }
       elseif ($phase == 'install') {
         // For the installer UI, we need different wording. 'value' will
         // be treated as version, so provide none there.
-        $description = $error . t('An automated attempt to create this directory failed, possibly due to a permissions problem. To proceed with the installation, either create the directory and modify its permissions manually or ensure that the installer has the permissions to create it automatically. For more information, see INSTALL.txt or the <a href="@handbook_url">online handbook</a>.', array('@handbook_url' => 'http://drupal.org/server-permissions'));
+        $description = t('!error An automated attempt to create this directory failed, possibly due to a permissions problem. To proceed with the installation, either create the directory and modify its permissions manually or ensure that the installer has the permissions to create it automatically. For more information, see INSTALL.txt or the <a href="@handbook_url">online handbook</a>.', array('!error' => $error, '@handbook_url' => 'http://drupal.org/server-permissions'));
         $requirements['file system']['value'] = '';
       }
       if (!empty($description)) {