diff --git a/runatlantis.io/docs/apply-requirements.md b/runatlantis.io/docs/apply-requirements.md
index a79d40569..a781a151f 100644
--- a/runatlantis.io/docs/apply-requirements.md
+++ b/runatlantis.io/docs/apply-requirements.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 Atlantis allows you to require certain conditions be satisfied **before** an `atlantis apply`
 command can be run:
 
-* [Approved](#approved) – requires pull requests to be approved by at least one user
+* [Approved](#approved) – requires pull requests to be approved by at least one user other than the author
 * [Mergeable](#mergeable) – requires pull requests to be able to be merged
 
 ## What Happens If The Requirement Is Not Met?
diff --git a/server/events/project_command_runner.go b/server/events/project_command_runner.go
index a5efbbd37..1c84f2487 100644
--- a/server/events/project_command_runner.go
+++ b/server/events/project_command_runner.go
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ func (p *DefaultProjectCommandRunner) doApply(ctx models.ProjectCommandContext)
 				return "", "", errors.Wrap(err, "checking if pull request was approved")
 			}
 			if !approved {
-				return "", "Pull request must be approved before running apply.", nil
+				return "", "Pull request must be approved by at least one person other than the author before running apply.", nil
 			}
 		case raw.MergeableApplyRequirement:
 			if !ctx.PullMergeable {
diff --git a/server/events/project_command_runner_test.go b/server/events/project_command_runner_test.go
index 0360d8ebc..7c09bd284 100644
--- a/server/events/project_command_runner_test.go
+++ b/server/events/project_command_runner_test.go
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ func TestDefaultProjectCommandRunner_ApplyNotApproved(t *testing.T) {
 	When(mockApproved.PullIsApproved(ctx.BaseRepo, ctx.Pull)).ThenReturn(false, nil)
 
 	res := runner.Apply(ctx)
-	Equals(t, "Pull request must be approved before running apply.", res.Failure)
+	Equals(t, "Pull request must be approved by at least one person other than the author before running apply.", res.Failure)
 }
 
 // Test that if mergeable is required and the PR isn't mergeable we give an error.