diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/reference.rs b/clippy_lints/src/reference.rs
index fe457aad50e..3fda00403c6 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/reference.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/reference.rs
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ fn check_expr(&mut self, cx: &EarlyContext<'_>, e: &Expr) {
                     cx,
                     REF_IN_DEREF,
                     object.span,
-                    "Creating a reference that is immediately dereferenced.",
+                    "creating a reference that is immediately dereferenced",
                     "try this",
                     snippet_with_applicability(cx, inner.span, "_", &mut applicability).to_string(),
                     applicability,
diff --git a/tests/ui/unnecessary_ref.stderr b/tests/ui/unnecessary_ref.stderr
index 34ba167a947..d0a0f219097 100644
--- a/tests/ui/unnecessary_ref.stderr
+++ b/tests/ui/unnecessary_ref.stderr
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-error: Creating a reference that is immediately dereferenced.
+error: creating a reference that is immediately dereferenced
   --> $DIR/unnecessary_ref.rs:13:17
    |
 LL |     let inner = (&outer).inner;