diff --git a/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt b/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt
index 3d0982feed..8f585d4976 100644
--- a/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt
+++ b/docs/manual/adding-packages-directory.txt
@@ -35,8 +35,9 @@ config BR2_PACKAGE_LIBFOO
 
 The +bool+ line, +help+ line and other metadata information about the
 configuration option must be indented with one tab. The help text
-itself should be indented with one tab and two spaces, and it must
-mention the upstream URL of the project.
+itself should be indented with one tab and two spaces, lines should
+not be longer than 72 columns, and it must mention the upstream URL
+of the project.
 
 You can add other sub-options into a +if
 BR2_PACKAGE_LIBFOO...endif+ statement to configure particular things
diff --git a/docs/manual/writing-rules.txt b/docs/manual/writing-rules.txt
index e6401a4882..ec1ddb1915 100644
--- a/docs/manual/writing-rules.txt
+++ b/docs/manual/writing-rules.txt
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ config BR2_PACKAGE_LIBFOO
 * The help text itself should be indented with one tab and two
   spaces.
 
+* The help text should be wrapped to fit 72 columns.
+
 The +Config.in+ files are the input for the configuration tool
 used in Buildroot, which is the regular _Kconfig_. For further
 details about the _Kconfig_ language, refer to