diff --git a/docs/primer.md b/docs/primer.md
index 69d6c6ddc..305f1c66d 100644
--- a/docs/primer.md
+++ b/docs/primer.md
@@ -83,8 +83,10 @@ that check whether a condition is true. An assertion's result can be *success*,
 *nonfatal failure*, or *fatal failure*. If a fatal failure occurs, it aborts the
 current function; otherwise the program continues normally.
 
-*Tests* use assertions to verify the tested code's behavior. If a test crashes
-or has a failed assertion, then it *fails*; otherwise it *succeeds*.
+*Tests* use assertions to verify the tested code's behavior. If a test terminates
+abnormally (for example due to an uncaught exception, segmentation fault, or
+other runtime error) or has a failed assertion, then it *fails*; otherwise it
+*succeeds*.
 
 A *test suite* contains one or many tests. You should group your tests into test
 suites that reflect the structure of the tested code. When multiple tests in a