diff --git a/tests/test_read_parsers.py b/tests/test_read_parsers.py
index 5d2f1c0896..10332a59a4 100644
--- a/tests/test_read_parsers.py
+++ b/tests/test_read_parsers.py
@@ -515,11 +515,13 @@ def test_read_cleaning_consume_read_by_read():
     kmer = "caggcgcccaccacc".upper()
     assert x.get(kmer) == 1
 
-    # the 2nd read with this k-mer in it has an N in it; 'consume' will ignore.
+    # consume will ignore the invalid base in 2nd read containing this k-mer,
+    # so the k-mer will have an abundance of 2.
     kmer = "CCTCATCGGCACCAG"
     assert x.get(kmer) == 2
 
-    # the 2nd read with this k-mer in it has a Z in it; 'consume' will ignore.
+    # consume will ignore the invalid base in 2nd read containing this k-mer,
+    # so the k-mer will have an abundance of 2.
     kmer = "ACTGAGCTTCATGTC"
     assert x.get(kmer) == 2