diff --git a/nmdc_server/api.py b/nmdc_server/api.py
index 5c79f527..dc634771 100644
--- a/nmdc_server/api.py
+++ b/nmdc_server/api.py
@@ -1179,7 +1179,7 @@ async def submit_metadata(
     user: models.User = Depends(get_current_user),
 ):
     # Old versions of the Field Notes app will continue to send a string for packageName
-    # for a little white. This code is to ease that transition and can be removed in the future.
+    # for a little while. This code is to ease that transition and can be removed in the future.
     if isinstance(body.metadata_submission.packageName, str):
         if body.metadata_submission.packageName:
             body.metadata_submission.packageName = [body.metadata_submission.packageName]