diff --git a/registry/auth/htpasswd/access.go b/registry/auth/htpasswd/access.go
index 5ac3d84a7..82d3556dc 100644
--- a/registry/auth/htpasswd/access.go
+++ b/registry/auth/htpasswd/access.go
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func (ch challenge) SetHeaders(w http.ResponseWriter) {
 }
 
 func (ch challenge) Error() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("basic authentication challenge: %#v", ch)
+	return fmt.Sprintf("basic authentication challenge for realm %q: %s", ch.realm, ch.err)
 }
 
 func init() {