diff --git a/src/risotto/controller.py b/src/risotto/controller.py
index 663c5e5..e85524b 100644
--- a/src/risotto/controller.py
+++ b/src/risotto/controller.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class Controller:
         version, module, message = uri.split('.', 2)
         uri = module + '.' + message
         if args:
-            raise ValueError(_(f'the URI "{uri}" can only be called with positionals arguments'))
+            raise ValueError(_(f'the URI "{uri}" can only be called with keyword arguments'))
         if module not in self.risotto_modules:
             return await remote.remove_call(module,
                                             version,
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class Controller:
         version, module, submessage = uri.split('.', 2)
         version, message = uri.split('.', 1)
         if args:
-            raise ValueError(_(f'the URI "{uri}" can only be published with positionals arguments'))
+            raise ValueError(_(f'the URI "{uri}" can only be published with keyword arguments'))
         if module not in self.risotto_modules:
             await remote.remove_call(module,
                                      version,