diff --git a/messages/config.md b/messages/config.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..27b441f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/messages/config.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# error.invalidBooleanConfigValue
+
+The config value can only be set to true or false
+
+# org-metadata-rest-deploy
+
+Whether deployments use the Metadata REST API (true) or SOAP API (false, default value).
diff --git a/src/configMeta.ts b/src/configMeta.ts
index 3303bf36..3cde41a3 100644
--- a/src/configMeta.ts
+++ b/src/configMeta.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 
 import type { ConfigValue } from '@salesforce/core';
 
+import { Messages } from '@salesforce/core/lib/messages';
+Messages.importMessagesDirectory(__dirname);
+const messages = Messages.loadMessages('@salesforce/plugin-deploy-retrieve', 'config');
+
 export enum ConfigVars {
   /**
    * Allow users to use the REST api for deployments.
@@ -17,12 +21,11 @@ export enum ConfigVars {
 export default [
   {
     key: ConfigVars.ORG_METADATA_REST_DEPLOY,
-    // @salesforce/core's Messages class is not used here because it's an expensive import to be used in an init hook
-    description: 'Whether deployments use the Metadata REST API (true) or SOAP API (false, default value).',
+    description: messages.getMessage(ConfigVars.ORG_METADATA_REST_DEPLOY),
     hidden: true,
     input: {
       validator: (value: ConfigValue): boolean => typeof value === 'string' && ['true', 'false'].includes(value),
-      failedMessage: 'The config value can only be set to true or false',
+      failedMessage: messages.getMessage('error.invalidBooleanConfigValue'),
     },
   },
 ];