diff --git a/doc/nano.texi b/doc/nano.texi
index 691eed4a..8aca07b4 100644
--- a/doc/nano.texi
+++ b/doc/nano.texi
@@ -1235,9 +1235,10 @@ will be added to this syntax, until a new @code{syntax}
 command is encountered.
 
 When @command{nano} is run, this syntax will be automatically
-activated if the current filename matches the extended regular
-expression @var{fileregex}.  Or the syntax can be explicitly
-activated by using the @option{-Y} or @option{--syntax}
+activated (for the relevant buffer) if the absolute filename
+matches the extended regular expression @var{fileregex}.
+Or the syntax can be explicitly activated (for all buffers)
+by using the @option{-Y} or @option{--syntax}
 command-line option followed by the @var{name}.
 
 The @code{default} syntax is special: it takes no @var{fileregex},
diff --git a/doc/nanorc.5 b/doc/nanorc.5
index 61b2f771..84db959d 100644
--- a/doc/nanorc.5
+++ b/doc/nanorc.5
@@ -439,9 +439,10 @@ will be added to this syntax, until a new \fBsyntax\fR
 command is encountered.
 .sp
 When \fBnano\fR is run, this syntax will be automatically
-activated if the current filename matches the extended regular
-expression \fIfileregex\fR.  Or the syntax can be explicitly
-activated by using the \fB\-Y\fR or \fB\-\-syntax\fR
+activated (for the relevant buffer) if the absolute filename
+matches the extended regular expression \fIfileregex\fR.
+Or the syntax can be explicitly activated (for all buffers)
+by using the \fB\-Y\fR or \fB\-\-syntax\fR
 command-line option followed by the \fIname\fR.
 .sp
 The syntax \fBdefault\fP is special: it takes no \fIfileregex\fR,