diff --git a/addons/website_hr_recruitment/i18n/website_hr_recruitment.pot b/addons/website_hr_recruitment/i18n/website_hr_recruitment.pot
index 279286b07c7..b82f88cab5c 100644
--- a/addons/website_hr_recruitment/i18n/website_hr_recruitment.pot
+++ b/addons/website_hr_recruitment/i18n/website_hr_recruitment.pot
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ msgstr ""
 #. odoo-python
 #: code:addons/website_hr_recruitment/models/hr_recruitment.py:0
 #, python-format
-msgid "You cannot apply for this job."
+msgid "The job offer has been closed."
 msgstr ""
 
 #. module: website_hr_recruitment
diff --git a/addons/website_hr_recruitment/models/hr_applicant.py b/addons/website_hr_recruitment/models/hr_applicant.py
index 4e1ed0641fc..763575c67e8 100644
--- a/addons/website_hr_recruitment/models/hr_applicant.py
+++ b/addons/website_hr_recruitment/models/hr_applicant.py
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ class Applicant(models.Model):
             values.setdefault('name', name)
         if values.get('job_id'):
             job = self.env['hr.job'].browse(values.get('job_id'))
-            if not job.sudo().website_published:
-                raise UserError(_("You cannot apply for this job."))
+            if not job.sudo().active:
+                raise UserError(_("The job offer has been closed."))
             stage = self.env['hr.recruitment.stage'].sudo().search([
                 ('fold', '=', False),
                 '|', ('job_ids', '=', False), ('job_ids', '=', values['job_id']),