diff --git a/synapse/config/server.py b/synapse/config/server.py
index 2afca36e7d..5f8910b6e1 100644
--- a/synapse/config/server.py
+++ b/synapse/config/server.py
@@ -841,8 +841,7 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
         # Whether to require authentication to retrieve profile data (avatars,
         # display names) of other users through the client API. Defaults to
         # 'false'. Note that profile data is also available via the federation
-        # API, so this setting is of limited value if federation is enabled on
-        # the server.
+        # API, unless allow_profile_lookup_over_federation is set to false.
         #
         #require_auth_for_profile_requests: true