diff --git a/code/datums/components/caltrop.dm b/code/datums/components/caltrop.dm
index 3d4dcb8146c..128a13f552e 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/caltrop.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/caltrop.dm
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@
 	if(!(flags & CALTROP_SILENT) && !H.has_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/caltropped))
 		H.apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/caltropped)
 		H.visible_message(
-			span_danger("[H] steps on [source]."),
-			span_userdanger("You step on [source]!")
+			span_danger("[H] steps on [parent]."),
+			span_userdanger("You step on [parent]!")
 		)
 
 	H.apply_damage(damage, BRUTE, picked_def_zone, wound_bonus = CANT_WOUND)