diff --git a/doc/tor.1.in b/doc/tor.1.in
index 0c701974b0..00c45cad65 100644
--- a/doc/tor.1.in
+++ b/doc/tor.1.in
@@ -373,11 +373,12 @@ by specifying a target of addr, port, or addr:port.
 .TP
 \fBHiddenServiceNodes \fR\fInickname\fR,\fInickname\fR,\fI...\fP
 If possible, use the specified nodes as introduction points for the hidden
-service.
+service. If this is left unset, Tor will be smart and pick some reasonable
+ones; most people can leave this unset.
 .TP
 \fBHiddenServiceExcludeNodes \fR\fInickname\fR,\fInickname\fR,\fI...\fP
 Do not use the specified nodes as introduction points for the hidden
-service.
+service. In normal use there is no reason to set this.
 
 .\" UNDOCUMENTED
 .\" ignoreversion