diff --git a/doc/lispref/modes.texi b/doc/lispref/modes.texi
index 29041151e52..63ecf59e538 100644
--- a/doc/lispref/modes.texi
+++ b/doc/lispref/modes.texi
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ If you run @code{normal-mode} interactively, the argument
 @var{find-file} is normally @code{nil}.  In this case,
 @code{normal-mode} unconditionally processes any file local variables.
 
-The function calls @code{set-auto-mode} to choose a major mode.  If it
+The function calls @code{set-auto-mode} to choose a major mode.  If this
 does not specify a mode, the buffer stays in the major mode determined
 by the default value of @code{major-mode} (see below).