diff --git a/linux/Config.in b/linux/Config.in
index 95c847b2ea..36d769180f 100644
--- a/linux/Config.in
+++ b/linux/Config.in
@@ -140,10 +140,10 @@ choice
 	default BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_USE_DEFCONFIG
 
 config BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_USE_DEFCONFIG
-	bool "Using a defconfig"
+	bool "Using an in-tree defconfig file"
 
 config BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_USE_CUSTOM_CONFIG
-	bool "Using a custom config file"
+	bool "Using a custom (def)config file"
 
 endchoice
 
@@ -161,6 +161,9 @@ config BR2_LINUX_KERNEL_CUSTOM_CONFIG_FILE
 	help
 	  Path to the kernel configuration file
 
+	  Note: this can be a defconfig file or a complete .config file,
+	  which can later be saved back with make linux-update-(def)config.
+
 #
 # Binary format
 #