diff --git a/src/Fl_Tree.cxx b/src/Fl_Tree.cxx
index 48f99265b..5432c9d78 100644
--- a/src/Fl_Tree.cxx
+++ b/src/Fl_Tree.cxx
@@ -976,7 +976,7 @@ Fl_Tree_Item* Fl_Tree::root() {
 
 /// Sets the root item to \p 'newitem'.
 ///
-/// If a root item already exists, clear() is first to clear it
+/// If a root item already exists, clear() is called first to clear it
 /// before replacing it with newitem.
 ///
 #if FLTK_ABI_VERSION >= 10303