diff --git a/fs/cpio/Config.in b/fs/cpio/Config.in
index 374cfe0..0669a44 100644
--- a/fs/cpio/Config.in
+++ b/fs/cpio/Config.in
@@ -1,14 +1,19 @@
 config BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_CPIO
-	bool "cpio the root filesystem"
+	bool "cpio the root filesystem (for use as an initial RAM filesystem)"
 	help
-	  Build a cpio archive of the root filesystem
+	  Build a cpio archive of the root filesystem.  This is typically
+	  used for an initial RAM filesystem that is passed to the kernel
+	  by the bootloader.
 
 choice
         prompt "Compression method"
         default BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_CPIO_NONE
         depends on BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_CPIO
         help
-          Select compressor for cpio filesystem of the root filesystem
+          Select compressor for cpio filesystem of the root filesystem.
+          If you use the cpio archive as an initial RAM filesystem, make
+          sure the kernel contains the decompression algorithm selected
+          here.
 
 config BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_CPIO_NONE
         bool "no compression"
diff --git a/fs/initramfs/Config.in b/fs/initramfs/Config.in
index bbc2ab0..22066ee 100644
--- a/fs/initramfs/Config.in
+++ b/fs/initramfs/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 config BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_INITRAMFS
-	bool "initramfs for initial ramdisk of linux kernel"
+	bool "initial RAM filesystem linked into linux kernel"
 	depends on BR2_LINUX_KERNEL
 	select BR2_TARGET_ROOTFS_CPIO
 	help