diff --git a/clients/src/main/java/org/apache/kafka/clients/consumer/internals/AbstractMembershipManager.java b/clients/src/main/java/org/apache/kafka/clients/consumer/internals/AbstractMembershipManager.java
index c93a844ff9be5..e93a238472508 100644
--- a/clients/src/main/java/org/apache/kafka/clients/consumer/internals/AbstractMembershipManager.java
+++ b/clients/src/main/java/org/apache/kafka/clients/consumer/internals/AbstractMembershipManager.java
@@ -635,9 +635,9 @@ private void clearAssignmentAndLeaveGroup() {
     }
 
     /**
-     * Reset member epoch to the value required for the leave the group heartbeat request, and
-     * transition to the {@link MemberState#LEAVING} state so that a heartbeat request is sent
-     * out with it.
+     * Reset the member epoch to the value required for the leave-group heartbeat and transition to
+     * {@link MemberState#LEAVING} so the next heartbeat notifies the coordinator that the member
+     * is leaving the group.
      *
      * @param dueToExpiredPollTimer True if the leave group is due to an expired poll timer. This
      *                              will indicate that the member must remain STALE after leaving,