diff --git a/docs/HOWTO.rst b/docs/HOWTO.rst
index fc0997c..21f7379 100644
--- a/docs/HOWTO.rst
+++ b/docs/HOWTO.rst
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ small - patches welcome.
 + aiohttp:  Python library for asynchronous HTTP.  ElectrumX uses it for
             communication with the daemon.  Version >= 1.0 required; I am
             using 1.0.5.
++ irc:      Python IRC package.  Only required if you enable IRC; ElectrumX
+            will happily serve clients that try to connect directly.
+            I use 15.0.4 but older versions likely are fine.
+
 
 While not requirements for running ElectrumX, it is intended to be run
 with supervisor software such as Daniel Bernstein's daemontools,
diff --git a/server/irc.py b/server/irc.py
index 8a52f75..a98fea0 100644
--- a/server/irc.py
+++ b/server/irc.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from lib.hash import double_sha256
 from lib.util import LoggedClass
 from server.version import VERSION
 
+
 def port_text(letter, port, default):
     if not port:
         return ''