diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
index 9129e83ac008..5593b58b9b6c 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
@@ -6113,7 +6113,7 @@ def pcolormesh(self, *args, alpha=None, norm=None, cmap=None, vmin=None,
 
         shading : {'flat', 'nearest', 'gouraud', 'auto'}, optional
             The fill style for the quadrilateral; defaults to
-            'flat' or :rc:`pcolor.shading`. Possible values:
+            :rc:`pcolor.shading`. Possible values:
 
             - 'flat': A solid color is used for each quad. The color of the
               quad (i, j), (i+1, j), (i, j+1), (i+1, j+1) is given by