diff --git a/numpy/lib/function_base.py b/numpy/lib/function_base.py
index 1e44345b079b..3cfaf350bda2 100644
--- a/numpy/lib/function_base.py
+++ b/numpy/lib/function_base.py
@@ -1247,8 +1247,8 @@ def piecewise(x, condlist, funclist, *args, **kw):
     kw : dict, optional
         Keyword arguments used in calling `piecewise` are passed to the
         functions upon execution, i.e., if called
-        ``piecewise(..., ..., lambda=1)``, then each function is called as
-        ``f(x, lambda=1)``.
+        ``piecewise(..., ..., alpha=1)``, then each function is called as
+        ``f(x, alpha=1)``.
 
     Returns
     -------