diff --git a/quickstart.py b/quickstart.py
index 3782eb3f..8761fb95 100755
--- a/quickstart.py
+++ b/quickstart.py
@@ -197,13 +197,14 @@ def build_repository(project_directory):
   
   # Handle the expiration time.  The expiration date determines when
   # the top-level roles expire.
-  message = '\nWhen would you like your certificates to expire? (mm/dd/yyyy): '
+  prompt_message = \
+    '\nWhen would you like your certificates to expire? (mm/dd/yyyy): '
   timeout = None
   for attempt in range(MAX_INPUT_ATTEMPTS):
     # Get the difference between the user's entered expiration date and today's
     # date.  Convert and store the difference to total days till expiration.
     try:
-      input_date = _prompt(message)
+      input_date = _prompt(prompt_message)
       expiration_date = datetime.datetime.strptime(input_date, '%m/%d/%Y')
       time_difference = expiration_date - datetime.datetime.now()
       timeout = time_difference.days
@@ -299,11 +300,12 @@ def build_repository(project_directory):
     # Ensure the user inputs a valid threshold value.
     role_threshold = None
     for attempt in range(MAX_INPUT_ATTEMPTS):
-      message = '\nEnter the desired threshold for the role '+repr(role)+': '
+      prompt_message = \
+        '\nEnter the desired threshold for the role '+repr(role)+': '
 
       # Check for non-integers and values less than one.
       try:
-        role_threshold = _prompt(message, int)
+        role_threshold = _prompt(prompt_message, int)
         if not tuf.formats.THRESHOLD_SCHEMA.matches(role_threshold):
           raise ValueError
         break