diff --git a/base/util.jl b/base/util.jl
index 7f4300aa4de07..ae0c64bab90a2 100644
--- a/base/util.jl
+++ b/base/util.jl
@@ -289,7 +289,8 @@ See also `Base.getpass` and `Base.winprompt` for secure entry of passwords.
 """
 function prompt(input::IO, output::IO, message::AbstractString; default::AbstractString="", timeout::Union{Nothing, Int} = nothing)
     if !isnothing(timeout) && timeout > 0
-        msg = !isempty(default) ? "$message [$default] timeout $timeout seconds: " : "$message: "
+        plural = timeout == 1 ? "" : "s"
+        msg = !isempty(default) ? "$message [$default] timeout $timeout second$(plural): " : "$message: "
         timeout_timer = Timer(timeout)
     else
         msg = !isempty(default) ? "$message [$default]: " : "$message: "