diff --git a/lisp/ido.el b/lisp/ido.el
index 4f1e36ba914..96a362f7608 100644
--- a/lisp/ido.el
+++ b/lisp/ido.el
@@ -4302,7 +4302,7 @@ For details of keybindings, see `ido-find-file'."
 
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun ido-find-alternate-file ()
-  "Switch to another file and show it in another window.
+  "Find another file, select its buffer, kill previous buffer.
 The file name is selected interactively by typing a substring.
 For details of keybindings, see `ido-find-file'."
   (interactive)