diff --git a/composite.cpp b/composite.cpp
index 5f3073b942..34a56367df 100644
--- a/composite.cpp
+++ b/composite.cpp
@@ -484,12 +484,16 @@ void Workspace::checkCompositePaintTime( int msec )
     if( tooslow )
         {
         QTimer::singleShot( 0, this, SLOT( suspendCompositing()));
-        QString shortcut = i18n( "Empty" );
+        QString shortcut, message;
         if( KAction* action = qobject_cast<KAction*>( keys->action("Suspend Compositing")))
             shortcut = action->globalShortcut().primary().toString(QKeySequence::NativeText);
-        QString message = i18n( "Compositing was too slow and has been suspended.\n"
-            "If this was only a temporary problem, you can resume using the '%1' shortcut.\n"
-            "You can also disable functionality checks in advanced compositing settings.", shortcut );
+        if (shortcut.isEmpty())
+            message = i18n( "Compositing was too slow and has been suspended.\n"
+                "You can disable functionality checks in advanced compositing settings." );
+        else
+            message = i18n( "Compositing was too slow and has been suspended.\n"
+                "If this was only a temporary problem, you can resume using the '%1' shortcut.\n"
+                "You can also disable functionality checks in advanced compositing settings.", shortcut );
         Notify::raise( Notify::CompositingSlow, message );
         compositeTimer.start( 1000 ); // so that it doesn't trigger sooner than suspendCompositing()
         }