diff --git a/panels/network/cc-network-panel.c b/panels/network/cc-network-panel.c
index cd1ddcb11..7d110eb9e 100644
--- a/panels/network/cc-network-panel.c
+++ b/panels/network/cc-network-panel.c
@@ -1028,12 +1028,7 @@ nm_device_refresh_device_ui (CcNetworkPanel *panel, NetDevice *device)
         state = nm_device_get_state (nm_device);
         widget = GTK_WIDGET (gtk_builder_get_object (priv->builder,
                                                      "label_status"));
-        str = panel_device_state_to_localized_string (state);
-        if (type == NM_DEVICE_TYPE_ETHERNET &&
-            (state == NM_DEVICE_STATE_UNAVAILABLE)) {
-                /* TRANSLATORS: this is a wired connection that is disconnected */
-                str = _("Unplugged");
-        }
+        str = panel_device_state_to_localized_string (type, state);
         gtk_label_set_label (GTK_LABEL (widget), str);
 
         /* set up the options button */
diff --git a/panels/network/panel-common.c b/panels/network/panel-common.c
index 30a92afb0..8bebbcd3e 100644
--- a/panels/network/panel-common.c
+++ b/panels/network/panel-common.c
@@ -174,10 +174,10 @@ panel_ap_mode_to_localized_string (NM80211Mode mode)
  * panel_device_state_to_localized_string:
  **/
 const gchar *
-panel_device_state_to_localized_string (NMDeviceState type)
+panel_device_state_to_localized_string (NMDeviceType type, NMDeviceState state)
 {
         const gchar *value = NULL;
-        switch (type) {
+        switch (state) {
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_UNKNOWN:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
                 value = _("Status unknown");
@@ -188,31 +188,25 @@ panel_device_state_to_localized_string (NMDeviceState type)
                 break;
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_UNAVAILABLE:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
-                value = _("Unavailable");
+                if (type == NM_DEVICE_TYPE_ETHERNET)
+                        value = _("Cable unplugged");
+                else
+                        value = _("Unavailable");
                 break;
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_DISCONNECTED:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
                 value = _("Disconnected");
                 break;
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_PREPARE:
-                /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
-                value = _("Preparing connection");
-                break;
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_CONFIG:
+        case NM_DEVICE_STATE_IP_CONFIG:
+        case NM_DEVICE_STATE_IP_CHECK:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
-                value = _("Configuring connection");
+                value = _("Connecting");
                 break;
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_NEED_AUTH:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
-                value = _("Authenticating");
-                break;
-        case NM_DEVICE_STATE_IP_CONFIG:
-                /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
-                value = _("Getting network address");
-                break;
-        case NM_DEVICE_STATE_IP_CHECK:
-                /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
-                value = _("Checking network address");
+                value = _("Authentication required");
                 break;
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_ACTIVATED:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
@@ -224,7 +218,7 @@ panel_device_state_to_localized_string (NMDeviceState type)
                 break;
         case NM_DEVICE_STATE_FAILED:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
-                value = _("Failed to connect");
+                value = _("Connection failed");
                 break;
         default:
                 /* TRANSLATORS: device status */
diff --git a/panels/network/panel-common.h b/panels/network/panel-common.h
index b2ee67853..bbf8936fb 100644
--- a/panels/network/panel-common.h
+++ b/panels/network/panel-common.h
@@ -29,12 +29,13 @@
 
 G_BEGIN_DECLS
 
-const gchar     *panel_device_to_icon_name                 (NMDevice *device);
-const gchar     *panel_device_to_localized_string          (NMDevice *device);
-const gchar     *panel_device_to_sortable_string           (NMDevice *device);
-const gchar     *panel_ap_mode_to_localized_string              (NM80211Mode mode);
-const gchar     *panel_device_state_to_localized_string         (NMDeviceState type);
-const gchar     *panel_vpn_state_to_localized_string         (NMVPNConnectionState type);
+const gchar     *panel_device_to_icon_name              (NMDevice *device);
+const gchar     *panel_device_to_localized_string       (NMDevice *device);
+const gchar     *panel_device_to_sortable_string        (NMDevice *device);
+const gchar     *panel_ap_mode_to_localized_string      (NM80211Mode mode);
+const gchar     *panel_device_state_to_localized_string (NMDeviceType  type,
+                                                         NMDeviceState state);
+const gchar     *panel_vpn_state_to_localized_string    (NMVPNConnectionState type);
 
 G_END_DECLS