diff --git a/vcr/stubs/__init__.py b/vcr/stubs/__init__.py
index 0553890..d389f82 100644
--- a/vcr/stubs/__init__.py
+++ b/vcr/stubs/__init__.py
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class VCRConnectionMixin:
             return VCRHTTPResponse(response)
         else:
             if self.cassette.write_protected:
-                raise Exception("cassette is write protected")
+                raise Exception("Can't overwrite existing cassette in your current record mode.")
 
             # Otherwise, we should send the request, then get the response
             # and return it.