diff --git a/source/includes/steps-enable-authentication-in-replica-set.yaml b/source/includes/steps-enable-authentication-in-replica-set.yaml
index 8dd5f3de048..0f23ca92ea5 100644
--- a/source/includes/steps-enable-authentication-in-replica-set.yaml
+++ b/source/includes/steps-enable-authentication-in-replica-set.yaml
@@ -57,9 +57,25 @@ pre: |
 stepnum: 5
 level: 4
 ref: connect-via-localhost
-source:
-  file: steps-deploy-replica-set-with-auth.yaml
-  ref: deploy-repset-connect-to-member
+pre: |
+  Connect a :program:`mongo` shell to one of the config server
+  :program:`mongod` instances over the :ref:`localhost
+  interface<localhost-exception>`. You must run the :program:`mongo`
+  shell on the same physical machine as the :program:`mongod` instance.
+
+  Use :method:`rs.status()` to identify the :term:`primary` replica set
+  member. If you are connected to the primary, continue to the next step. If
+  not, identify the primary :program:`mongod` and connect to it using a
+  :program:`mongo` shell over the :ref:`localhost
+  interface<localhost-exception>`.
+
+  You must connect using the :ref:`localhost interface <localhost-exception>` 
+  because no users have been created for the deployment. After creating 
+  the first user, you must authenticate using that user to proceed regardless
+  of how you are connected to the :program:`mongod`.
+  
+  .. important:: You must connect to the :term:`primary` before proceeding.
+
 ---
 stepnum: 6
 title: Create the user administrator.