diff --git a/src/nm-manager.c b/src/nm-manager.c
index 7f590f382..a085f88d7 100644
--- a/src/nm-manager.c
+++ b/src/nm-manager.c
@@ -4927,11 +4927,11 @@ _internal_activate_device(NMManager *self, NMActiveConnection *active, GError **
                 if (master_device) {
                     g_prefix_error(error,
                                    "Master device '%s' can't be activated: ",
-                                   nm_device_get_ip_iface(device));
+                                   nm_device_get_ip_iface(master_device));
                 } else {
                     g_prefix_error(error,
                                    "Master connection '%s' can't be activated: ",
-                                   nm_settings_connection_get_id(sett_conn));
+                                   nm_settings_connection_get_id(master_connection));
                 }
                 return FALSE;
             }