diff --git a/docs/docs/ref-03-component-specs.md b/docs/docs/ref-03-component-specs.md
index 0a4a63c825..393faea3d6 100644
--- a/docs/docs/ref-03-component-specs.md
+++ b/docs/docs/ref-03-component-specs.md
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ The `render()` function should be *pure*, meaning that it does not modify compon
 object getInitialState()
 ```
 
-Invoked once when the component is mounted. The return value will be used as the initial value of `this.state`.
+Invoked once before the component is mounted. The return value will be used as the initial value of `this.state`.
 
 
 ### getDefaultProps