diff --git a/docs/_ext/djangodocs.py b/docs/_ext/djangodocs.py
index 003e4ab588..825ea931e9 100644
--- a/docs/_ext/djangodocs.py
+++ b/docs/_ext/djangodocs.py
@@ -136,11 +136,13 @@ class DjangoHTMLTranslator(SmartyPantsHTMLTranslator):
         self.compact_p = self.context.pop()
         self.body.append('</table>\n')
 
-    # <big>? Really?
     def visit_desc_parameterlist(self, node):
-        self.body.append('(')
+        self.body.append('(')  # by default sphinx puts <big> around the "("
         self.first_param = 1
+        self.optional_param_level = 0
         self.param_separator = node.child_text_separator
+        self.required_params_left = sum([isinstance(c, addnodes.desc_parameter)
+                                         for c in node.children])
 
     def depart_desc_parameterlist(self, node):
         self.body.append(')')