diff --git a/docs/source/topic/allowing.md b/docs/source/topic/allowing.md
index 663abf56..0d88b7ce 100644
--- a/docs/source/topic/allowing.md
+++ b/docs/source/topic/allowing.md
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ c.OAuthenticator.allowed_users = {"mensah", "ratthi"}
 
 If this is your only configuration, only these users will be allowed, no others.
 
-Note that any additional usernames in the deprecated `admin_users` configuration will also be added to the `allowed_users` set.
+Note that any additional usernames in the deprecated `admin_users` configuration will also be allowed to login.
 
 ```{seealso}
 Configuration documentation for {attr}`.OAuthenticator.allowed_users`
diff --git a/oauthenticator/oauth2.py b/oauthenticator/oauth2.py
index 425924c5..8296f342 100644
--- a/oauthenticator/oauth2.py
+++ b/oauthenticator/oauth2.py
@@ -1093,5 +1093,5 @@ def __init__(self, **kwargs):
 If unspecified, grants no access. You must set at least one other `allow` configuration
 if any users are to have permission to access the Hub.
 
-Any users in `admin_users` will be added to this set.
+Any usernames in `admin_users` will also be allowed to login.
 """