diff --git a/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/tests.py b/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/tests.py
index 5272cb9a49..2046a0b2f2 100644
--- a/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/tests.py
+++ b/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/tests.py
@@ -11,11 +11,10 @@ class BeeminderHookTests(WebhookTestCase):
     def test_beeminder_derail(self, time: Any) -> None:
         time.return_value = 1517739100  # 5.6 hours from fixture value
         expected_topic = u"beekeeper"
-        expected_message = '\n'.join([
-            'You are going to derail from goal **gainweight** in **{:0.1f} hours**'.format(5.6),
-            ' You need **+2 in 7 days (60)** to avoid derailing',
-            ' * Pledge: **0$** :relieved:'
-        ])
+        expected_message = """
+You are going to derail from goal **gainweight** in **5.6 hours**. You need **+2 in 7 days (60)** to avoid derailing.
+* Pledge: **0$** :relieved:
+""".strip()
 
         self.send_and_test_stream_message('derail',
                                           expected_topic,
@@ -26,11 +25,11 @@ class BeeminderHookTests(WebhookTestCase):
     def test_beeminder_derail_worried(self, time: Any) -> None:
         time.return_value = 1517739100  # 5.6 hours from fixture value
         expected_topic = u"beekeeper"
-        expected_message = '\n'.join([
-            'You are going to derail from goal **gainweight** in **{:0.1f} hours**'.format(5.6),
-            ' You need **+2 in 7 days (60)** to avoid derailing',
-            ' * Pledge: **5$** :worried:'
-        ])
+        expected_message = """
+You are going to derail from goal **gainweight** in **5.6 hours**. You need **+2 in 7 days (60)** to avoid derailing.
+* Pledge: **5$** :worried:
+""".strip()
+
         self.send_and_test_stream_message('derail_worried',
                                           expected_topic,
                                           expected_message,
diff --git a/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/view.py b/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/view.py
index d78a318dab..4ec0c5bd5f 100644
--- a/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/view.py
+++ b/zerver/webhooks/beeminder/view.py
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ from zerver.lib.webhooks.common import check_send_webhook_message
 from zerver.models import UserProfile
 import time
 
+MESSAGE_TEMPLATE = ("You are going to derail from goal **{goal_name}** in **{time:0.1f} hours**. "
+                    "You need **{limsum}** to avoid derailing.\n"
+                    "* Pledge: **{pledge}$** {expression}\n")
+
 def get_time(payload: Dict[str, Any]) -> Any:
     losedate = payload["goal"]["losedate"]
     time_remaining = (losedate - time.time())/3600
@@ -29,8 +33,12 @@ def api_beeminder_webhook(request: HttpRequest, user_profile: UserProfile,
         expression = ':relieved:'
 
     topic = u'beekeeper'
-    body = u"You are going to derail from goal **{}** in **{:0.1f} hours**\n \
-You need **{}** to avoid derailing\n * Pledge: **{}$** {}"
-    body = body.format(goal_name, time_remain, limsum, pledge, expression)
+    body = MESSAGE_TEMPLATE.format(
+        goal_name=goal_name,
+        time=time_remain,
+        limsum=limsum,
+        pledge=pledge,
+        expression=expression
+    )
     check_send_webhook_message(request, user_profile, topic, body)
     return json_success()