diff --git a/xarray/core/dataset.py b/xarray/core/dataset.py
index c83a56bb373..ad3260569b1 100644
--- a/xarray/core/dataset.py
+++ b/xarray/core/dataset.py
@@ -7947,7 +7947,7 @@ def sortby(
 
         Parameters
         ----------
-        kariables : Hashable, DataArray, sequence of Hashable or DataArray, or Callable
+        variables : Hashable, DataArray, sequence of Hashable or DataArray, or Callable
             1D DataArray objects or name(s) of 1D variable(s) in coords whose values are
             used to sort this array. If a callable, the callable is passed this object,
             and the result is used as the value for cond.