diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/exceptions.py b/gramps/gen/db/exceptions.py
index da128b8e5..a10f4f375 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/exceptions.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/exceptions.py
@@ -171,7 +171,13 @@ class DbUpgradeRequiredError(Exception):
         Exception.__init__(self)
 
     def __str__(self):
-        return _("You cannot open this database without upgrading it.\n"
-                 "If you upgrade then you won't be able to use previous "
-                 "versions of Gramps.\n"
-                 "You might want to make a backup copy first.")
+        return _("The Family Tree structure has changed since the version of"
+            " Gramps you used to create this tree.\n\n"
+            "Therefore, you cannot open this Family Tree without upgrading the"
+            " definition of the structure.\n"
+            "If you upgrade then you won't be able to use previous "
+            "versions of Gramps!\n\n"
+            "Upgrading is a difficult task that may not be interrupted, or "
+            "Gramps will irretrievably corrupt your tree. Therefore, create "
+            "a backup copy first. See: \n"
+            "http://www.gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_make_a_backup")
diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/write.py b/gramps/gen/db/write.py
index 67ba5af1d..4a2c663bf 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/write.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/write.py
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         # self.secondary_connected flag should be set accordingly.
         if self.need_schema_upgrade():
             _LOG.debug("Schema upgrade required from %s to %s" %
-                       (self.metadata.get('version', default=0), _DBVERSION))
+                       (self.metadata.get(b'version', default=0), _DBVERSION))
             if force_schema_upgrade == True or force_bsddb_upgrade == True:
                 self.gramps_upgrade(callback)
             else: