diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py
index b3e0e0e06b..2433a143ed 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/conditional_module.py
@@ -125,7 +125,8 @@ class ConditionalModule(ConditionalFields, XModule):
         an AJAX call.
         """
         if not self.is_condition_satisfied():
-            message = self.descriptor.xml_attributes.get('message')
+            defmsg = "{link} must be attempted before this will become visible."
+            message = self.descriptor.xml_attributes.get('message', defmsg)
             context = {'module': self,
                        'message': message}
             html = self.system.render_template('conditional_module.html',