diff --git a/scripts/lib/deploy-smoke-display.mjs b/scripts/lib/deploy-smoke-display.mjs
index ec5fd60..1291faa 100644
--- a/scripts/lib/deploy-smoke-display.mjs
+++ b/scripts/lib/deploy-smoke-display.mjs
@@ -924,9 +924,9 @@ async function run() {
     );
     check(
       result.tally.get("recycle").offline === 0,
-      "the display stayed live across the realtime recycle",
+      `the display stayed live for the whole ${recycleWatchMs / 1000}s watch${recycleWatchMs > 300_000 ? ", across a realtime recycle" : ""}`,
     );
-    check(page.sessionRequests.length === 1, "the realtime recycle did not remount the display");
+    check(page.sessionRequests.length === 1, "the display was never remounted during the watch");
     await page.close();
     kiosk.close();
     await finishOwner(owner);