diff --git a/man2/open.2 b/man2/open.2
index 0f58a24c2..a4f774b2c 100644
--- a/man2/open.2
+++ b/man2/open.2
@@ -934,15 +934,11 @@ argument as follows:
 .IP * 3
 If the pathname given in
 .I pathname
-is relative, then it is interpreted relative to the directory
-referred to by the file descriptor
+is absolute, then
 .I dirfd
-(rather than relative to the current working directory of
-the calling process, as is done by
-.BR open ()
-for a relative pathname).
+is ignored.
 .IP *
-If
+If the pathname given in
 .I pathname
 is relative and
 .I dirfd
@@ -954,11 +950,15 @@ is interpreted relative to the current working
 directory of the calling process (like
 .BR open ()).
 .IP *
-If
+If the pathname given in
 .I pathname
-is absolute, then
+is relative, then it is interpreted relative to the directory
+referred to by the file descriptor
 .I dirfd
-is ignored.
+(rather than relative to the current working directory of
+the calling process, as is done by
+.BR open ()
+for a relative pathname).
 .\"
 .SS openat2(2)
 The