diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 45326c69e..89acb5a72 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -341,7 +341,8 @@ Alternatively, refer to the [developer instructions](#developer-instructions) fo
                                      SELECTION" for all the info
     --all-formats                    Download all available video formats
     --prefer-free-formats            Prefer free video formats unless a specific
-                                     one is requested
+                                     one is requested or a higher quality
+                                     non-free format is available
     -F, --list-formats               List all available formats of requested
                                      videos
     --youtube-skip-dash-manifest     Do not download the DASH manifests and
diff --git a/youtube_dl/options.py b/youtube_dl/options.py
index 6d5ac62b3..93c4fe272 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/options.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/options.py
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ def parseOpts(overrideArguments=None):
     video_format.add_option(
         '--prefer-free-formats',
         action='store_true', dest='prefer_free_formats', default=False,
-        help='Prefer free video formats unless a specific one is requested')
+        help='Prefer free video formats unless a specific one is requested or a higher quality non-free format is available')
     video_format.add_option(
         '-F', '--list-formats',
         action='store_true', dest='listformats',