diff --git a/man3/on_exit.3 b/man3/on_exit.3
index e5de1ed0d..3b18fab5c 100644
--- a/man3/on_exit.3
+++ b/man3/on_exit.3
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ it returns a nonzero value.
 .SH CONFORMING TO
 This function comes from SunOS 4, but is also present in glibc.
 It no longer occurs in Solaris (SunOS 5).
-Avoid this function, and use the standard
+Portable application should avoid this function, and use the standard
 .BR atexit (3)
 instead.
 .SH SEE ALSO