diff --git a/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py b/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py
index 17b3631d9..e7aeb8af1 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class ModuleState:
                 progobj = ExternalProgram(value)
                 if not progobj.found():
                     msg = (f'Dependency {depname!r} tool variable {varname!r} contains erroneous value: {value!r}\n\n'
-                           'This is a distributor issue -- please report it to your {depname} provider.')
+                           f'This is a distributor issue -- please report it to your {depname} provider.')
                     raise mesonlib.MesonException(msg)
                 return progobj