diff --git a/jrnl/exception.py b/jrnl/exception.py
index 0ffc27fb..3ef7e5b4 100644
--- a/jrnl/exception.py
+++ b/jrnl/exception.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2012-2021 jrnl contributors
 # License: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html
+import textwrap
 
 
 class UserAbort(Exception):
@@ -17,14 +18,19 @@ class JrnlError(Exception):
 
     def __init__(self, error_type, **kwargs):
         self.error_type = error_type
-        self.message = self.get_error_message(**kwargs)
-
-    def get_error_message(self, **kwargs):
+        self.message = self._get_error_message(**kwargs)
 
+    def _get_error_message(self, **kwargs):
         error_messages = {
-            "ConfigDirectoryIsFile": "The path to your jrnl configuration directory is a file, not a directory:\n"
-            + "{config_directory_path}\n"
-            + "Removing this file will allow jrnl to save its configuration."
+            "ConfigDirectoryIsFile": textwrap.dedent(
+                """
+                The path to your jrnl configuration directory is a file, not a directory:
+
+                {config_directory_path}
+                
+                Removing this file will allow jrnl to save its configuration.
+            """
+            )
         }
 
         return error_messages[self.error_type].format(**kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/test_exception.py b/tests/test_exception.py
index a369ac08..85eb77e9 100644
--- a/tests/test_exception.py
+++ b/tests/test_exception.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import textwrap
+
 from jrnl.exception import JrnlError
 
 
@@ -6,8 +8,12 @@ def test_config_directory_exception_message():
         "ConfigDirectoryIsFile", config_directory_path="/config/directory/path"
     )
 
-    assert ex.message == (
-        "The path to your jrnl configuration directory is a file, not a directory:\n"
-        + "/config/directory/path\n"
-        + "Removing this file will allow jrnl to save its configuration."
+    assert ex.message == textwrap.dedent(
+        """
+        The path to your jrnl configuration directory is a file, not a directory:
+        
+        /config/directory/path
+        
+        Removing this file will allow jrnl to save its configuration.
+		"""
     )