diff --git a/docs/reference/setup/bootstrap-checks.asciidoc b/docs/reference/setup/bootstrap-checks.asciidoc
index 83209cbf3b8..f65526eb361 100644
--- a/docs/reference/setup/bootstrap-checks.asciidoc
+++ b/docs/reference/setup/bootstrap-checks.asciidoc
@@ -143,9 +143,9 @@ maximum size virtual memory check enforces that the Elasticsearch
 process has unlimited address space and is enforced only on Linux. To
 pass the maximum size virtual memory check, you must configure your
 system to allow the Elasticsearch process the ability to have unlimited
-address space. This can be done via `/etc/security/limits.conf` using
-the `as` setting to `unlimited` (note that you might have to increase
-the limits for the `root` user too).
+address space. This can be done via adding `<user> - as unlimited`
+to `/etc/security/limits.conf`. This may require you to increase the limits
+for the `root` user too.
 
 === Maximum map count check