diff --git a/boilermaker/sample.py b/boilermaker/sample.py
index b92b9a5..a9b998c 100644
--- a/boilermaker/sample.py
+++ b/boilermaker/sample.py
@@ -19,11 +19,10 @@ async def debug_task(state):
 STATIC_DEBUG_TASK.payload = {"args": [], "kwargs": {}}
 
 
-async def debug_task_retry_policy(state, use_default: bool, max_tries=5, delay=30, delay_max=600):
+async def debug_task_retry_policy(state, use_default: bool, msg: str = "RETRY TEST", max_tries=5, delay=30, delay_max=600):
     """
-    This task does nothing
+    This task does nothing.
     """
-    msg = "RETRY TEST"
     if use_default:
         raise RetryException(msg)
     raise RetryExceptionDefaultExponential(