diff --git a/motor.c b/motor.c
index 5f20f8f5..e427f41e 100644
--- a/motor.c
+++ b/motor.c
@@ -241,8 +241,9 @@ static int checkPosition(pMotor self, SConnection *pCon)
        SCWrite(pCon,pBueffel, eWarning);                    
        return HWFault;
      }
-     snprintf(pBueffel,131,"WARNING: %s off position by %f",
-                 self->name, absf(fHard - self->fTarget));
+     snprintf(pBueffel,131,"WARNING: %s off position by %f%s",
+                 self->name, absf(fHard - self->fTarget),
+                 self->fTarget > fHard ? "-" : "");
      SCWrite(pCon,pBueffel, eWarning);                    
      status = statusRunTo(self,pCon);
      return status;