             }
 
 			if(actual == null) {
-				throw new AssertionFailedError("expected not null but was:<" + actual + ">");
+				throw new AssertionFailedError(message + "expected not null but was:<" + actual + ">");
 			}
         }
         /**

                actual = args[1];
            }
            else if(args.length == 3) {
                message = args[0];
                expected = args[1];
                actual = args[2];
            }

                actual = args[0];
            }
            else if(args.length == 2) {
                message = args[0] + " ";
                actual = args[1];
            }
            else {
