diff --git a/options.c b/options.c
index 6ed96c6a..74a42790 100644
--- a/options.c
+++ b/options.c
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ void usage(enum logcode F)
   rprintf(F," -H, --hard-links            preserve hard links\n");
   rprintf(F," -p, --perms                 preserve permissions\n");
   rprintf(F," -E, --executability         preserve the file's executability\n");
-  rprintf(F,"     --chmod=CHMOD           change the permissions of transferred files\n");
+  rprintf(F,"     --chmod=CHMOD           affect file and/or directory permissions\n");
   rprintf(F," -o, --owner                 preserve owner (super-user only)\n");
   rprintf(F," -g, --group                 preserve group\n");
   rprintf(F,"     --devices               preserve device files (super-user only)\n");
diff --git a/rsync.yo b/rsync.yo
index 49048081..37d0e223 100644
--- a/rsync.yo
+++ b/rsync.yo
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ to the detailed description below for a complete description.  verb(
  -H, --hard-links            preserve hard links
  -p, --perms                 preserve permissions
  -E, --executability         preserve executability
-     --chmod=CHMOD           change the permissions of transferred files
+     --chmod=CHMOD           affect file and/or directory permissions
  -o, --owner                 preserve owner (super-user only)
  -g, --group                 preserve group
      --devices               preserve device files (super-user only)