diff --git a/build-aux/m4/l_atomic.m4 b/build-aux/m4/l_atomic.m4
index 906724b64..1cb13587a 100644
--- a/build-aux/m4/l_atomic.m4
+++ b/build-aux/m4/l_atomic.m4
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ AC_DEFUN([CHECK_ATOMIC], [
           AC_MSG_RESULT([yes])
         ],[
           AC_MSG_RESULT([no])
-          AC_MSG_FAILURE([cannot figure our how to use std::atomic])
+          AC_MSG_FAILURE([cannot figure out how to use std::atomic])
         ])
     ])