diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/protocol.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/protocol.sgml
index a746c967053..2c525bd520d 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/protocol.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/protocol.sgml
@@ -5336,8 +5336,8 @@ psql "dbname=postgres replication=database" -c "IDENTIFY_SYSTEM;"
        <term>Int32</term>
        <listitem>
         <para>
-         Newest minor protocol version supported by the server
-         for the major protocol version requested by the client.
+         Newest major and minor version supported by the server.
+         Major is in the upper 16 bits and the lower in the low 16 bits.
         </para>
        </listitem>
       </varlistentry>