diff --git a/builtin/checkout.c b/builtin/checkout.c
index 48dccea483..d4c276cfe9 100644
--- a/builtin/checkout.c
+++ b/builtin/checkout.c
@@ -613,7 +613,7 @@ static int switch_branches(struct checkout_opts *opts, struct branch_info *new)
 	 * to remind the user that it might be lost.
 	 */
 	if (!opts->quiet && !old.path && old.commit && new->commit != old.commit)
-		describe_detached_head("Previous HEAD position was", old.commit);
+		describe_detached_head(_("Previous HEAD position was"), old.commit);
 
 	update_refs_for_switch(opts, &old, new);