diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/delete.py b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/delete.py
index fb3efd36c0..7bdcb18644 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/delete.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/delete.py
@@ -347,9 +347,9 @@ class DeleteAction(InterfaceAction):
                     self.remove_matching_books_from_device()
         # The following will run if the selected books are not on a connected device.
         # The user has selected to delete from the library or the device and library.
-        if not confirm('<p>'+_('The selected books will be '
+        if not confirm('<p>'+_('The %d selected book(s) will be '
                                 '<b>permanently deleted</b> and the files '
-                                'removed from your calibre library. Are you sure?')
+                                'removed from your calibre library. Are you sure?')%len(to_delete_ids)
                             +'</p>', 'library_delete_books', self.gui):
             return
         next_id = view.next_id
@@ -382,9 +382,9 @@ class DeleteAction(InterfaceAction):
                 view = self.gui.card_b_view
             paths = view.model().paths(rows)
             ids = view.model().indices(rows)
-            if not confirm('<p>'+_('The selected books will be '
+            if not confirm('<p>'+_('The %d selected book(s) will be '
                                    '<b>permanently deleted</b> '
-                                   'from your device. Are you sure?')
+                                   'from your device. Are you sure?')%len(paths)
                                 +'</p>', 'device_delete_books', self.gui):
                 return
             job = self.gui.remove_paths(paths)