diff --git a/plugins/mod_welcome.lua b/plugins/mod_welcome.lua
index cc50cba37..edcfbd8c0 100644
--- a/plugins/mod_welcome.lua
+++ b/plugins/mod_welcome.lua
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 --
 
 local host = module:get_host();
-local welcome_text = module:get_option("welcome_message") or "Hello $user, welcome to the $host IM server!";
+local welcome_text = module:get_option("welcome_message") or "Hello $username, welcome to the $host IM server!";
 
 local st = require "util.stanza";