diff --git a/cpmpy/expressions/variables.py b/cpmpy/expressions/variables.py
index b8a0f88d3..698360e8e 100644
--- a/cpmpy/expressions/variables.py
+++ b/cpmpy/expressions/variables.py
@@ -358,6 +358,11 @@ def clear(self):
         """
         self._bv.clear()
 
+    def __str__(self):
+        if hasattr(self._bv, "desc"):
+            return f"not({self._bv.desc})"
+        return self.__repr__()
+
     def __repr__(self):
         return "~{}".format(self._bv.name)