diff --git a/cluster-autoscaler/simulator/cluster.go b/cluster-autoscaler/simulator/cluster.go
index b93b15176e..3c64ccc43a 100644
--- a/cluster-autoscaler/simulator/cluster.go
+++ b/cluster-autoscaler/simulator/cluster.go
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ func findPlaceFor(removedNode string, pods []*apiv1.Pod, nodes []*apiv1.Node, no
 				}
 			}
 			if !foundPlace {
-				return fmt.Errorf("failed to find place for %s", podKey)
+				return fmt.Errorf("failed to find place for %s", podKey(pod))
 			}
 		}