diff --git a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
index 1f42471455..f68a0accb8 100755
--- a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
+++ b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
@@ -355,10 +355,10 @@ def thermald_thread():
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeededPrompt", False)
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeeded", True)
     elif dt.days > DAYS_NO_CONNECTIVITY_PROMPT:
-      remaining_time = str(max(DAYS_NO_CONNECTIVITY_MAX - dt.days, 0))
+      remaining = max(DAYS_NO_CONNECTIVITY_MAX - dt.days, 1)
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_UpdateFailed", False)
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeeded", False)
-      set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeededPrompt", True, extra_text=f"{remaining_time} days.")
+      set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeededPrompt", True, extra_text=f"{remaining} day{'' if remaining == 1 else 's'}.")
     else:
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_UpdateFailed", False)
       set_offroad_alert_if_changed("Offroad_ConnectivityNeeded", False)