diff --git a/numpy/_build_utils/README b/numpy/_build_utils/README
index a817e9c5d3c3..6976e0233996 100644
--- a/numpy/_build_utils/README
+++ b/numpy/_build_utils/README
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 WARNING
 =======
 
-This directory (numpy/_build_utils) is *not* part of the pubic numpy API,
+This directory (numpy/_build_utils) is *not* part of the public numpy API,
  - it is internal build support for numpy.
  - it is only present in source distributions or during an in place build
  - it is *not* installed with the rest of numpy