diff --git a/hledger/hledger.m4.md b/hledger/hledger.m4.md
index 36114cda1..96b14af04 100644
--- a/hledger/hledger.m4.md
+++ b/hledger/hledger.m4.md
@@ -6929,7 +6929,7 @@ set -Ux LEDGER_FILE ~/finance/my.journal
 When correctly configured:
 
 - `env | grep LEDGER_FILE` will show your new setting
-- and so should `hledger setup` and (once the file exists) `hledger files`.
+- and so should `hledger setup` and `hledger files`.
 
 ### Set LEDGER_FILE on mac