diff --git a/spring-integration-file/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/file/FileReadingMessageSource.java b/spring-integration-file/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/file/FileReadingMessageSource.java
index a7a63e5a31..5aaf7640b7 100644
--- a/spring-integration-file/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/file/FileReadingMessageSource.java
+++ b/spring-integration-file/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/file/FileReadingMessageSource.java
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ public class FileReadingMessageSource extends AbstractMessageSource<File>
 	public void start() {
 		if (!this.running.getAndSet(true)) {
 			if (!this.directory.exists() && this.autoCreateDirectory && !this.directory.mkdirs()) {
-				throw new IllegalStateException("Cannot create directory or ita parents: " + this.directory);
+				throw new IllegalStateException("Cannot create directory or its parents: " + this.directory);
 			}
 			Assert.isTrue(this.directory.exists(),
 					() -> "Source directory [" + this.directory + "] does not exist.");