diff --git a/tools/build/options/makeman.lua b/tools/build/options/makeman.lua
index e96e6f50174b..7ce919f7a8de 100644
--- a/tools/build/options/makeman.lua
+++ b/tools/build/options/makeman.lua
@@ -44,8 +44,11 @@ variables that control the aspects of how the system builds.
 .Pp
 The default location of
 .Nm
-is
-.Pa /etc/src.conf ,
+is the top level of the source tree, or
+.Pa /etc/src.conf
+if no
+.Nm
+is found in the source tree itself,
 though an alternative location can be specified in the
 .Xr make 1
 variable