diff --git a/actions/challengeRegistration.js b/actions/challengeRegistration.js
index 4072e1b38..791121d3f 100644
--- a/actions/challengeRegistration.js
+++ b/actions/challengeRegistration.js
@@ -874,7 +874,7 @@ exports.registerChallenge = {
                         var fail = err || inactive;
                         if (fail) cb(fail);
                         else api.dataAccess.executeQuery('check_challenge_exists', {challengeId: challengeId}, connection.dbConnectionMap, cb);
-                    });                    
+                    }, "You must activate your account in order to participate. Please check your e-mail in order to complete the activation process, or contact support@topcoder.com if you did not receive an e-mail.");                    
                 }
             }, function (result, cb) {
                 if (result.length > 0) {
diff --git a/initializers/helper.js b/initializers/helper.js
index 466d970b1..198a9f05d 100644
--- a/initializers/helper.js
+++ b/initializers/helper.js
@@ -1625,7 +1625,7 @@ helper.checkUserExists = function (handle, api, dbConnectionMap, callback) {
  * @param {Object} dbConnectionMap - the database connection map
  * @param {Function<err>} callback - the callback function
  */
-helper.checkUserActivated = function (handle, api, dbConnectionMap, callback) {
+helper.checkUserActivated = function (handle, api, dbConnectionMap, callback, textResponse) {
     api.dataAccess.executeQuery('check_user_activated', { handle: handle }, dbConnectionMap, function (err, result) {
         if (err) {
             callback(err, null);
@@ -1634,7 +1634,8 @@ helper.checkUserActivated = function (handle, api, dbConnectionMap, callback) {
         if (result && result[0] && result[0].status === 'A') {
             callback(err, null);
         } else {
-            callback(err, new BadRequestError('User is not activated.'));
+            var message = textResponse || 'User is not activated.';
+            callback(err, new BadRequestError(message));
         }
     });
 };