diff --git a/Doc/library/telnetlib.rst b/Doc/library/telnetlib.rst
index b326da98263..b1528bdac04 100644
--- a/Doc/library/telnetlib.rst
+++ b/Doc/library/telnetlib.rst
@@ -28,16 +28,11 @@ Character), EL (Erase Line), GA (Go Ahead), SB (Subnegotiation Begin).
    :class:`Telnet` represents a connection to a Telnet server. The instance is
    initially not connected by default; the :meth:`open` method must be used to
    establish a connection.  Alternatively, the host name and optional port
-   and timeout can be passed to the constructor, in which case the connection to
-   the server will be established before the constructor returns.  The optional
-   *timeout* parameter specifies a timeout in seconds for the connection attempt (if
-   not specified, the global default timeout setting will be used).
-
    number can be passed to the constructor, to, in which case the connection to
-   the server will be established before the constructor returns. The optional
+   the server will be established before the constructor returns.  The optional
    *timeout* parameter specifies a timeout in seconds for blocking operations
-   like the connection attempt (if not specified, or passed as None, the global
-   default timeout setting will be used).
+   like the connection attempt (if not specified, the global default timeout
+   setting will be used).
 
    Do not reopen an already connected instance.