diff --git a/src/zarr/store/remote.py b/src/zarr/store/remote.py
index 50a02dcbcd..e0b69cac50 100644
--- a/src/zarr/store/remote.py
+++ b/src/zarr/store/remote.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def __init__(
             self.path = url.path.rstrip("/")
             self._fs = url.fs
         else:
-            raise ValueError("URL not understood, %s", url)
+            raise ValueError(f"URL not understood, {url}")
         self.allowed_exceptions = allowed_exceptions
         # test instantiate file system
         if not self._fs.async_impl: