diff --git a/p4-16/spec/P4-16-spec.adoc b/p4-16/spec/P4-16-spec.adoc
index f8bb646dd4..ce41af5a2e 100644
--- a/p4-16/spec/P4-16-spec.adoc
+++ b/p4-16/spec/P4-16-spec.adoc
@@ -5173,9 +5173,11 @@ suitable type using the syntax `+...+` (see <<sec-default-values>>).  A value
 of type `struct`, `header`, or `tuple` can also be initialized using a mix of
 explicit values and default values by using the notation `+...+` in a tuple
 expression initializer; in this case all fields not explicitly
-initialized are initialized with default values.  When initializing a `struct`,
-`header`, and `tuple` with a value containing partially default values
-using the `+...+` notation the three dots must appear last in the initializer.
+initialized are initialized with default values. It is permissible to use
+`+...+` when all fields have been explicitly initialized, in which case it
+has no effect. When initializing a `struct`, `header`, and `tuple` with a
+value containing partially default values using the `+...+` notation the
+three dots must appear last in the initializer.
 
 [source,p4]
 ----