diff --git a/doc/ref/posix.texi b/doc/ref/posix.texi
index 4ee726838..0711b9a1e 100644
--- a/doc/ref/posix.texi
+++ b/doc/ref/posix.texi
@@ -1008,8 +1008,8 @@ return value is unspecified.
 @end deffn
 
 @deffn {Scheme Procedure} getpwent
-Return the next entry in the user database, using the stream set by
-@code{setpwent}.
+Read the next entry in the user database stream.  The return is a
+passwd user object as above, or @code{#f} when no more entries.
 @end deffn
 
 @deffn {Scheme Procedure} endpwent