diff --git a/lispref/strings.texi b/lispref/strings.texi
index 207624f9642..e1824518abd 100644
--- a/lispref/strings.texi
+++ b/lispref/strings.texi
@@ -535,11 +535,12 @@ portion) is less.
 
 @defun assoc-string key alist &optional case-fold
 This function works like @code{assoc}, except that @var{key} must be a
-string, and comparison is done using @code{compare-strings}.  If
-@var{case-fold} is non-@code{nil}, it ignores case differences.
+string or symbol, and comparison is done using @code{compare-strings}.
+Symbols are converted to strings before testing.
+If @var{case-fold} is non-@code{nil}, it ignores case differences.
 Unlike @code{assoc}, this function can also match elements of the alist
-that are strings rather than conses.  In particular, @var{alist} can
-be a list of strings rather than an actual alist.
+that are strings or symbols rather than conses.  In particular, @var{alist} can
+be a list of strings or symbols rather than an actual alist.
 @xref{Association Lists}.
 @end defun