diff --git a/src/xdisp.c b/src/xdisp.c
index 3b23c489a95..cceb69584d6 100644
--- a/src/xdisp.c
+++ b/src/xdisp.c
@@ -2273,7 +2273,7 @@ syms_of_xdisp ()
   last_arrow_string = Qnil;
 
   DEFVAR_LISP ("global-mode-string", &Vglobal_mode_string,
-    "String displayed by mode-line-format's \"%m\" specifiation.");
+    "String (or mode line construct) included (normally) in `mode-line-format'.");
   Vglobal_mode_string = Qnil;
 
   DEFVAR_LISP ("overlay-arrow-position", &Voverlay_arrow_position,