diff --git a/doc/manual/src/command-ref/nix-store/realise.md b/doc/manual/src/command-ref/nix-store/realise.md
index 750cbeaff..6dc908c19 100644
--- a/doc/manual/src/command-ref/nix-store/realise.md
+++ b/doc/manual/src/command-ref/nix-store/realise.md
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Each of *paths* is processed as follows:
     - Try to fetch from [substituters] the [store objects] associated with the output paths in the store derivation's [closure].
       - With [content-addressed derivations] (experimental): Determine the output paths to realise by querying build certificates in the [Nix database].
     - For any store paths that cannot be substituted, produce the required store objects by first realising all outputs of the derivation's dependencies and then running the derivation's [`builder`](@docroot@/language/derivations.md#attr-builder) executable.
-- Otherwise: Try to fetch the associated [store objects] in the paths' [closure] from [substituters].
+- Otherwise, and if the path is not already valid: Try to fetch the associated [store objects] in the path's [closure] from [substituters].
 
 If no substitutes are available and no store derivation is given, realisation fails.