diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/validate/secret_scope_invalid_permission_level/output.txt b/acceptance/bundle/validate/secret_scope_invalid_permission_level/output.txt
index ce3a523536f..eec035d2671 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/validate/secret_scope_invalid_permission_level/output.txt
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/validate/secret_scope_invalid_permission_level/output.txt
@@ -28,4 +28,4 @@ Workspace:
   Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/test-bundle/default
 
 Found 2 warnings
-Error: 2 warnings were found. Warnings are not allowed in strict mode
+Error: 2 warnings were found. Warnings are treated as errors in strict mode
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/validate/strict/output.txt b/acceptance/bundle/validate/strict/output.txt
index 11f3f4944d8..7385a89d571 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/validate/strict/output.txt
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/validate/strict/output.txt
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Workspace:
   Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/test-bundle/foo
 
 Found 1 warning
-Error: 1 warning was found. Warnings are not allowed in strict mode
+Error: 1 warning was found. Warnings are treated as errors in strict mode
 
 Exit code: 1
 
@@ -44,6 +44,6 @@ Workspace:
   Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/test-bundle/bar
 
 Found 2 warnings
-Error: 2 warnings were found. Warnings are not allowed in strict mode
+Error: 2 warnings were found. Warnings are treated as errors in strict mode
 
 Exit code: 1
diff --git a/cmd/bundle/validate.go b/cmd/bundle/validate.go
index c9dcb162345..9f8257731a5 100644
--- a/cmd/bundle/validate.go
+++ b/cmd/bundle/validate.go
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ Please run this command before deploying to ensure configuration quality.`,
 			} else {
 				prefix = fmt.Sprintf("%d warnings were found", numWarnings)
 			}
-			return fmt.Errorf("%s. Warnings are not allowed in strict mode", prefix)
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s. Warnings are treated as errors in strict mode", prefix)
 		}
 
 		return err