diff --git a/etc/DISTRIB b/etc/DISTRIB
index f1e8deb6ce1..bc0ea8cc60d 100644
--- a/etc/DISTRIB
+++ b/etc/DISTRIB
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ product and divide it by five, that is a good amount.
 If you like GNU Emacs, please express your satisfaction with a
 donation: send me or the Foundation what you feel Emacs has been worth
 to you.  If you are glad that I developed GNU Emacs and distribute it
-as freeware, rather than following the obstructive and antisocial
+as free software, rather than following the obstructive and antisocial
 practices typical of software developers, reward me.  If you would
 like the Foundation to develop more free software, contribute.