diff --git a/plugins/module_utils/user.py b/plugins/module_utils/user.py
index 1a9af5b..e36aa57 100644
--- a/plugins/module_utils/user.py
+++ b/plugins/module_utils/user.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ def user_add(cursor, user, host, host_all, password, encrypted,
         query_with_args = "CREATE USER %s@%s IDENTIFIED WITH %s AS %s", (user, host, plugin, plugin_hash_string)
     elif plugin and plugin_auth_string:
         # Mysql and MariaDB differ in naming pam plugin and Syntax to set it
-        if plugin == 'pam':
+        if plugin == 'pam':  # Used by MariaDB which requires the USING keyword, not BY
             query_with_args = "CREATE USER %s@%s IDENTIFIED WITH %s USING %s", (user, host, plugin, plugin_auth_string)
         else:
             query_with_args = "CREATE USER %s@%s IDENTIFIED WITH %s BY %s", (user, host, plugin, plugin_auth_string)