diff --git a/doc/src/thermo_style.rst b/doc/src/thermo_style.rst
index a5a8935dc4..24bc839566 100644
--- a/doc/src/thermo_style.rst
+++ b/doc/src/thermo_style.rst
@@ -314,10 +314,10 @@ explanation of why this sign choice makes sense.
 
 The *econserve* keyword is the sum of the potential and kinetic energy
 of the system as well as the energy that has been transferred by
-thermostatting or barostatting to their coupling reservoirs.  I.e. it
-is *pe* + *ke* + *econserve*\ .  Ideally, for a simulation in the NVE,
+thermostatting or barostatting to their coupling reservoirs -- that is,
+*econserve* = *pe* + *ke* + *ecouple*\ .  Ideally, for a simulation in the NVT,
 NPH, or NPT ensembles, the *econserve* quantity should remain constant
-over time.
+over time even though *etotal* changes.
 
 The *fmax* and *fnorm* keywords are useful for monitoring the progress
 of an :doc:`energy minimization <minimize>`.  The *fmax* keyword