diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index 65eb6d03c..a669b1047 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def prose_list(items):
     'sphinx.ext.autodoc',
     'sphinxarg.ext',
     'sphinx.ext.napoleon',
-    'sphinx_autodoc_typehints',
+    'sphinx_autodoc_typehints', # must come after napoleon https://github.com/tox-dev/sphinx-autodoc-typehints/blob/1.21.4/README.md#compatibility-with-sphinxextnapoleon
     'sphinx_markdown_tables',
     'sphinx.ext.intersphinx',
     'nextstrain.sphinx.theme',