diff --git a/guix/scripts/deploy.scm b/guix/scripts/deploy.scm
index f70d41f35c..5c871cd6ed 100644
--- a/guix/scripts/deploy.scm
+++ b/guix/scripts/deploy.scm
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ (define (show-what-to-deploy machines)
   "Show the list of machines to deploy, MACHINES."
   (let ((count (length machines)))
     (format (current-error-port)
-            (N_ "The following ~*machine will be deployed:~%"
+            (N_ "The following ~d machine will be deployed:~%"
                 "The following ~d machines will be deployed:~%"
                 count)
             count)