diff --git a/doc/emacs/killing.texi b/doc/emacs/killing.texi
index 35096cdf53c..4c47c8b0479 100644
--- a/doc/emacs/killing.texi
+++ b/doc/emacs/killing.texi
@@ -857,7 +857,8 @@ region is active.
 
 Unlike the standard region, the region-rectangle can have its corners
 extended past the end of buffer, or inside stretches of white space
-that point normally cannot enter, like the @key{TAB}.
+that point normally cannot enter, like in the middle of a TAB
+character.
 
 @findex rectangle-exchange-point-and-mark
 @findex exchange-point-and-mark@r{, in rectangle-mark-mode}