diff --git a/INSTALL.md b/INSTALL.md
index 6e5014d20..26fb90300 100644
--- a/INSTALL.md
+++ b/INSTALL.md
@@ -63,10 +63,7 @@ Dendrite requires a postgres database engine, version 9.5 or later.
   sudo -u postgres createuser -P dendrite     # prompts for password
   ```
 
-On macOS you need to run:
-```bash
-createuser -P dendrite
-```
+On macOS, omit `sudo -u postgres`.
 
 * Create databases:
   ```bash
@@ -75,12 +72,7 @@ createuser -P dendrite
   done
   ```
 
-On macOS you need to run:
-  ```bash
-  for i in account device mediaapi syncapi roomserver serverkey federationsender publicroomsapi naffka; do
-     createdb -O dendrite dendrite_$i
-  done
-  ```
+On macOS, omit `sudo -u postgres`.
 
 ### Crypto key generation