diff --git a/backend/local/local.go b/backend/local/local.go
index a83a3c455..bb9f739eb 100644
--- a/backend/local/local.go
+++ b/backend/local/local.go
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ func (f *Fs) List(ctx context.Context, dir string) (entries fs.DirEntries, err e
 								continue
 							}
 						}
-						err = fmt.Errorf("failed to read directory %q: %w", namepath, fierr)
+						fierr = fmt.Errorf("failed to get info about directory entry %q: %w", namepath, fierr)
 						fs.Errorf(dir, "%v", fierr)
 						_ = accounting.Stats(ctx).Error(fserrors.NoRetryError(fierr)) // fail the sync
 						continue