diff --git a/src/nwbinspector/checks/nwbfile_metadata.py b/src/nwbinspector/checks/nwbfile_metadata.py
index 7190009e5..44ad4aa5c 100644
--- a/src/nwbinspector/checks/nwbfile_metadata.py
+++ b/src/nwbinspector/checks/nwbfile_metadata.py
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def check_doi_publications(nwbfile: NWBFile):
 def check_subject_age(subject: Subject):
     """Check if the Subject age is in ISO 8601 or our extension of it for ranges."""
     if subject.age is None and subject.date_of_birth is None:
-        return InspectorMessage(message="Subject is missing age or date_of_birth. Please specify at least one.")
+        return InspectorMessage(message="Subject is missing age and date_of_birth. Please specify at least one of these fields.")
     elif subject.age is None and subject.date_of_birth is not None:
         return
     if re.fullmatch(pattern=duration_regex, string=subject.age):
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_nwbfile_metadata.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_nwbfile_metadata.py
index f15789ac5..bf0619c8b 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_nwbfile_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_nwbfile_metadata.py
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ def test_pass_check_subject_age_with_dob():
 def test_check_subject_age_missing():
     subject = Subject(subject_id="001")
     assert check_subject_age(subject) == InspectorMessage(
-        message="Subject is missing age or date_of_birth. Please specify at least one.",
+        message="Subject is missing age and date_of_birth. Please specify at least one of these fields.",
         importance=Importance.BEST_PRACTICE_SUGGESTION,
         check_function_name="check_subject_age",
         object_type="Subject",