diff --git a/src/ircmsgs.py b/src/ircmsgs.py
index 13b80863a..760e7d7e5 100644
--- a/src/ircmsgs.py
+++ b/src/ircmsgs.py
@@ -840,7 +840,7 @@ def mode(channel, args=(), prefix='', msg=None):
     return IrcMsg(prefix=prefix, command='MODE', args=(channel,)+args, msg=msg)
 
 def modes(channel, args=(), prefix='', msg=None):
-    """Returns a MODE to quiet each of nicks on channel."""
+    """Returns a MODE message for the channel for all the (mode, targetOrNone) 2-tuples in 'args'."""
     if conf.supybot.protocols.irc.strictRfc():
         assert isChannel(channel), repr(channel)
     modes = args