diff --git a/ci/release/template/man/d2.1 b/ci/release/template/man/d2.1
index a484ebe8f..b1bcb709c 100644
--- a/ci/release/template/man/d2.1
+++ b/ci/release/template/man/d2.1
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Print version information and exit.
 .It Ar layout
 Lists available layout engine options with short help.
 .It Ar layout Op Ar name
-Display long help for a particular layout engine.
+Display long help for a particular layout engine, including its configuration options.
 .It Ar fmt Ar file.d2
 Format
 .Ar file.d2
diff --git a/help.go b/help.go
index bd6b455d0..27f9bc22c 100644
--- a/help.go
+++ b/help.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Flags:
 
 Subcommands:
   %[1]s layout - Lists available layout engine options with short help
-  %[1]s layout [name] - Display long help for a particular layout engine
+  %[1]s layout [name] - Display long help for a particular layout engine, including its configuration options
   %[1]s fmt file.d2 - Format file.d2
 
 See more docs and the source code at https://oss.terrastruct.com/d2
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ Example:
   D2_LAYOUT=dagre d2 in.d2 out.svg
 
 Subcommands:
-  %s layout [layout name] - Display long help for a particular layout engine
+  %s layout [layout name] - Display long help for a particular layout engine, including its configuration options
 
 See more docs at https://oss.terrastruct.com/d2
 `, strings.Join(pluginLines, "\n"), ms.Name)