diff --git a/builder/vmware/common/hw_config.go b/builder/vmware/common/hw_config.go
index eb3ed46c2..588d295f1 100644
--- a/builder/vmware/common/hw_config.go
+++ b/builder/vmware/common/hw_config.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ type HWConfig struct {
 	// cpu information
 	CpuCount   int `mapstructure:"cpus"`
 	MemorySize int `mapstructure:"memory"`
-	CoreCount  int `mapstructure:"cores_per_socket"`
+	CoreCount  int `mapstructure:"cores"`
 
 	// network type and adapter
 	Network            string `mapstructure:"network"`
diff --git a/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.md.erb b/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.md.erb
index e7ecb350d..180af5c08 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.md.erb
+++ b/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.md.erb
@@ -100,8 +100,7 @@ builder.
 
 -   `cpus` (number) - The number of cpus to use when building the VM.
 
--   `cores_per_socket` (number) - The number of cores per socket to use when
-    building the VM.
+-   `cores` (number) - The number of cores per socket to use when building the VM.
 
 -   `cdrom_adapter_type` (string) - The adapter type (or bus) that will be used
     by the cdrom device. This is chosen by default based on the disk adapter