diff --git a/arango/connection.py b/arango/connection.py
index ae076268..3daa4585 100644
--- a/arango/connection.py
+++ b/arango/connection.py
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ def ping(self) -> int:
         request = Request(method="get", endpoint="/_api/collection")
         resp = self.send_request(request)
         if resp.status_code in {401, 403}:
-            raise ServerConnectionError("bad username and/or password")
+            raise ServerConnectionError("bad username/password or token is expired")
         if not resp.is_success:  # pragma: no cover
             raise ServerConnectionError(resp.error_message or "bad server response")
         return resp.status_code