diff --git a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.5.2.rst b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.5.2.rst
index a0637ed17e..b02691448f 100644
--- a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.5.2.rst
+++ b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.5.2.rst
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Bug fixes
 * fixed redeclaration of test_simplified_solis_series_elevation (:issue:`387`)
 * physicaliam now returns a Series if called with a Series as an
   argument. (:issue:`397`)
+* corrected docstring for irradiance.total_irrad (:issue: '423')
 
 Documentation
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/pvlib/irradiance.py b/pvlib/irradiance.py
index 9f90eda414..fb0dfe64e5 100755
--- a/pvlib/irradiance.py
+++ b/pvlib/irradiance.py
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ def total_irrad(surface_tilt, surface_azimuth,
     Returns
     -------
     total_irrad : OrderedDict or DataFrame
-        Contains keys/columns ``'poa_global', 'poa_direct', 'poa_diffuse', 
+        Contains keys/columns ``'poa_global', 'poa_direct', 'poa_diffuse',
         'poa_sky_diffuse', 'poa_ground_diffuse'``.
     """
 
@@ -1333,8 +1333,8 @@ def dirindex(ghi, ghi_clearsky, dni_clearsky, zenith, times, pressure=101325.,
     Determine DNI from GHI using the DIRINDEX model, which is a modification of
     the DIRINT model with information from a clear sky model.
 
-    DIRINDEX [1] improves upon the DIRINT model by taking into account turbidity
-    when used with the Ineichen clear sky model results.
+    DIRINDEX [1] improves upon the DIRINT model by taking into account 
+    turbidity when used with the Ineichen clear sky model results.
 
     Parameters
     ----------
@@ -1396,7 +1396,8 @@ def dirindex(ghi, ghi_clearsky, dni_clearsky, zenith, times, pressure=101325.,
                         use_delta_kt_prime=use_delta_kt_prime,
                         temp_dew=temp_dew)
 
-    dni_dirint_clearsky = dirint(ghi_clearsky, zenith, times, pressure=pressure,
+    dni_dirint_clearsky = dirint(ghi_clearsky, zenith, times, 
+                                 pressure=pressure,
                                  use_delta_kt_prime=use_delta_kt_prime,
                                  temp_dew=temp_dew)