diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.qhelp b/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.qhelp
index 1a14f7981dd2..a63c85f3399a 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.qhelp
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.qhelp
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 <overview>
 <p>
-This rule finds calls to <code>open</code> or <code>socket</code> where there is no corresponding <code>close</code> call in the program analyzed.
+This rule finds calls to <code>socket</code> where there is no corresponding <code>close</code> call in the program analyzed.
 Leaving descriptors open will cause a resource leak that will persist even after the program terminates.
 </p>
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Leaving descriptors open will cause a resource leak that will persist even after
 </overview>
 
 <recommendation>
-<p>Ensure that all file or socket descriptors allocated by the program are freed before it terminates.</p>
+<p>Ensure that all socket descriptors allocated by the program are freed before it terminates.</p>
 </recommendation>
 
 <example>
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.ql b/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.ql
index f06708f4ae36..ae50e6256020 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.ql
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/Critical/DescriptorNeverClosed.ql
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /**
  * @name Open descriptor never closed
- * @description Functions that always return before closing the socket or file they opened leak resources.
+ * @description Functions that always return before closing the socket they opened leak resources.
  * @kind problem
  * @id cpp/descriptor-never-closed
  * @problem.severity warning