diff --git a/INSTALL.md b/INSTALL.md
index 9746a9b6d938..e18ffccc4d35 100644
--- a/INSTALL.md
+++ b/INSTALL.md
@@ -539,16 +539,15 @@ email will be disabled.
 
 The easiest way to create a new user is to do so from a client like [Element](https://element.io/).
 
-Alternatively, you can do so from the command line if you have installed synapse via package.
-
-This can be done as follows:
+Alternatively, you can do so from the command line. This can be done as follows:
 
 ```sh
-$ # These steps are needed if installed via pip.
+$ # These steps are needed if synapse was installed via pip.
 $ source ~/synapse/env/bin/activate
 $ synctl start # if not already running
 $
-$ # This executable is present when installed via any package.
+$ # If synapse was installed via a prebuilt package, register_new_matrix_user
+$ # should already be on the search path.
 $ register_new_matrix_user -c homeserver.yaml http://localhost:8008
 New user localpart: erikj
 Password: