diff --git a/distribution/xfer/download.go b/distribution/xfer/download.go
index 2536f1dd23..f8898a07cb 100644
--- a/distribution/xfer/download.go
+++ b/distribution/xfer/download.go
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func (ldm *LayerDownloadManager) makeDownloadFunc(descriptor DownloadDescriptor,
 
 			selectLoop:
 				for {
-					progress.Updatef(progressOutput, descriptor.ID(), "Retrying in %d seconds", delay)
+					progress.Updatef(progressOutput, descriptor.ID(), "Retrying in %d second%s", delay, (map[bool]string{true: "s"})[delay != 1])
 					select {
 					case <-ticker.C:
 						delay--
diff --git a/distribution/xfer/upload.go b/distribution/xfer/upload.go
index 20fe045ac6..563824c11d 100644
--- a/distribution/xfer/upload.go
+++ b/distribution/xfer/upload.go
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ func (lum *LayerUploadManager) makeUploadFunc(descriptor UploadDescriptor) DoFun
 
 			selectLoop:
 				for {
-					progress.Updatef(progressOutput, descriptor.ID(), "Retrying in %d seconds", delay)
+					progress.Updatef(progressOutput, descriptor.ID(), "Retrying in %d second%s", delay, (map[bool]string{true: "s"})[delay != 1])
 					select {
 					case <-ticker.C:
 						delay--