diff --git a/plotnine/guides/guide.py b/plotnine/guides/guide.py
index e02ca7e69..855b93870 100644
--- a/plotnine/guides/guide.py
+++ b/plotnine/guides/guide.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def __init__(self, **kwargs):
             if hasattr(self, k) or k in no_default:
                 setattr(self, k, v)
             else:
-                tpl = "{} does not undestand attribute '{}'"
+                tpl = "{} does not understand attribute '{}'"
                 raise PlotnineError(tpl.format(self.__class__.__name__, k))
 
     def _set_defaults(self, theme: Theme):