diff --git a/lib/lockfile.js b/lib/lockfile.js
index 2078e82..3cd769b 100644
--- a/lib/lockfile.js
+++ b/lib/lockfile.js
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ function acquireLock(file, options, callback) {
             }
 
             if (!isLockStale(stat, options)) {
-                return callback(Object.assign(new Error('Lock file is already being hold'), { code: 'ELOCKED', file }));
+                return callback(Object.assign(new Error('Lock file is already being held'), { code: 'ELOCKED', file }));
             }
 
             // If it's stale, remove it and try again!
diff --git a/test/sync.test.js b/test/sync.test.js
index 7a3afd2..53d7b2c 100644
--- a/test/sync.test.js
+++ b/test/sync.test.js
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ describe('.lockSync()', () => {
         lockfile.lockSync(`${tmpDir}/foo`);
 
         expect(fs.existsSync(`${tmpDir}/foo.lock`)).toBe(true);
-        expect(() => lockfile.lockSync(`${tmpDir}/foo`)).toThrow(/already being hold/);
+        expect(() => lockfile.lockSync(`${tmpDir}/foo`)).toThrow(/already being held/);
     });
 
     it('should pass options correctly', () => {