diff --git a/x-pack/docs/en/security/authentication/configuring-active-directory-realm.asciidoc b/x-pack/docs/en/security/authentication/configuring-active-directory-realm.asciidoc
index 29ebd136c9172..8f7e6a4602532 100644
--- a/x-pack/docs/en/security/authentication/configuring-active-directory-realm.asciidoc
+++ b/x-pack/docs/en/security/authentication/configuring-active-directory-realm.asciidoc
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ operation are supported: failover and load balancing. See <<ref-ad-settings>>.
 
 . Restart {es}.
 
-. Configure a bind user. 
+. (Optional) Configure a bind user. 
 +
 --
 The Active Directory realm authenticates users using an LDAP bind request. By