diff --git a/backend/grant/proposal/views.py b/backend/grant/proposal/views.py
index 787c19a7..896bacc2 100644
--- a/backend/grant/proposal/views.py
+++ b/backend/grant/proposal/views.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def post_proposal_comments(proposal_id, comment, parent_comment_id):
 
     # Make sure user is not silenced
     if g.current_user.silenced:
-        return {"message": "User is silenced, cannot comment"}, 403
+        return {"message": "Your account has been silenced, commenting is disabled."}, 403
 
     # Make the comment
     comment = Comment(
diff --git a/backend/grant/utils/auth.py b/backend/grant/utils/auth.py
index 5ba2f92a..112bde74 100644
--- a/backend/grant/utils/auth.py
+++ b/backend/grant/utils/auth.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def get_authed_user():
 
 def throw_on_banned(user):
     if user.banned:
-        raise AuthException("User is banned")
+        raise AuthException("You are banned")
 
 
 def requires_auth(f):