diff --git a/testing/test_txnode.py b/testing/test_txnode.py
index 9ac6905..133f051 100644
--- a/testing/test_txnode.py
+++ b/testing/test_txnode.py
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ class TestMasterSlaveConnection:
         node.send(123) # invalid item 
         kwargs = mysetup.geteventargs("pytest_testnodedown")
         assert kwargs['node'] is node 
-        assert "Not properly terminated" in str(kwargs['error'])
+        assert isinstance(kwargs['error'], execnet.RemoteError)
 
     def test_crash_killed(self, testdir, mysetup):
         if not hasattr(py.std.os, 'kill'):