diff --git a/i3/.config/i3status/i3status.conf b/i3/.config/i3status/i3status.conf
index f8fb394..a567f32 100644
--- a/i3/.config/i3status/i3status.conf
+++ b/i3/.config/i3status/i3status.conf
@@ -27,17 +27,18 @@ volume master {
 
 ethernet em0 {
   format_up = "%ip"
-  format_down = "Eth down"
+  format_down = "em0 down"
 }
 
 ethernet ue0 {
+  # if you use %speed, i3status requires root privileges
   format_up = "%ip"
-  format_down = "Eth down"
+  format_down = "ue0 down"
 }
 
 wireless wlan0 {
     format_up = " %essid %ip"
-    format_down = "WiFi down"
+    format_down = "wlan0 down"
 }
 
 cpu_temperature 0 {