diff --git a/backend/remote/backend.go b/backend/remote/backend.go
index fc4040d39..c8bc867e7 100644
--- a/backend/remote/backend.go
+++ b/backend/remote/backend.go
@@ -657,11 +657,7 @@ func (b *Remote) Operation(ctx context.Context, op *backend.Operation) (*backend
 			)
 		default:
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf(
-				"%s\n\n"+
-					"The configured \"remote\" backend encountered an unexpected error. Sometimes\n"+
-					"this is caused by network connection problems, in which case you could retr\n"+
-					"the command. If the issue persists please open a support ticket to get help\n"+
-					"resolving the problem.",
+				"The configured \"remote\" backend encountered an unexpected error:\n\n%s",
 				err,
 			)
 		}
diff --git a/backend/remote/backend_mock.go b/backend/remote/backend_mock.go
index 8985dd0e3..214b242fd 100644
--- a/backend/remote/backend_mock.go
+++ b/backend/remote/backend_mock.go
@@ -948,6 +948,11 @@ func (m *mockWorkspaces) Create(ctx context.Context, organization string, option
 }
 
 func (m *mockWorkspaces) Read(ctx context.Context, organization, workspace string) (*tfe.Workspace, error) {
+	// custom error for TestRemote_plan500 in backend_plan_test.go
+	if workspace == "network-error" {
+		return nil, errors.New("I'm a little teacup")
+	}
+
 	w, ok := m.workspaceNames[workspace]
 	if !ok {
 		return nil, tfe.ErrResourceNotFound
diff --git a/backend/remote/backend_plan_test.go b/backend/remote/backend_plan_test.go
index 6b3d96753..3a6f868a1 100644
--- a/backend/remote/backend_plan_test.go
+++ b/backend/remote/backend_plan_test.go
@@ -855,3 +855,23 @@ func TestRemote_planWithRemoteError(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected plan error in output: %s", output)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestRemote_planOtherError(t *testing.T) {
+	b, bCleanup := testBackendDefault(t)
+	defer bCleanup()
+
+	op, configCleanup := testOperationPlan(t, "./testdata/plan")
+	defer configCleanup()
+
+	op.Workspace = "network-error" // custom error response in backend_mock.go
+
+	_, err := b.Operation(context.Background(), op)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Errorf("expected error, got success")
+	}
+
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(),
+		"The configured \"remote\" backend encountered an unexpected error:\n\nI'm a little teacup") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error message, got: %s", err.Error())
+	}
+}