diff --git a/transport-helper.c b/transport-helper.c
index bd666b29ec..4208743605 100644
--- a/transport-helper.c
+++ b/transport-helper.c
@@ -1038,7 +1038,7 @@ static struct ref *get_refs_list(struct transport *transport, int for_push)
 				(*tail)->status |= REF_STATUS_UPTODATE;
 				if (read_ref((*tail)->name,
 					     (*tail)->old_oid.hash) < 0)
-					die(N_("Could not read ref %s"),
+					die(_("Could not read ref %s"),
 					    (*tail)->name);
 			}
 		}