diff --git a/apcupsd/src/apctest.c b/apcupsd/src/apctest.c
index 10542a3..8dde839 100644
--- a/apcupsd/src/apctest.c
+++ b/apcupsd/src/apctest.c
@@ -1281,9 +1281,9 @@ static void program_smart_eeprom(void)
             break;
 
          case 2:
-            cmd = get_cmd("Enter new battery date -- DD/MM/YY: ");
+            cmd = get_cmd("Enter new battery date -- MM/DD/YY: ");
             if (strlen(cmd) != 8 || cmd[2] != '/' || cmd[5] != '/') {
-               pmsg("Date must be exactly DD/MM/YY\n");
+               pmsg("Date must be exactly MM/DD/YY\n");
                break;
             }
             apcsmart_ups_program_eeprom(ups, CI_BATTDAT, cmd);