diff --git a/docs/howto/pitfalls.md b/docs/howto/pitfalls.md
index 1c8b5327..e12b4631 100644
--- a/docs/howto/pitfalls.md
+++ b/docs/howto/pitfalls.md
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ contract C {
 }
 ```
 
-In this last snippet, the `internal` keyword could have been omitted (state variables are private by default) or alternatively have been replaced by `private`.
+In this last snippet, the `internal` keyword could have been omitted (state variables are internal by default) or alternatively have been replaced by `private`.
 
 ## Protect access of view functions using reencryptions