diff --git a/nixos/doc/manual/installation/installing.xml b/nixos/doc/manual/installation/installing.xml
index 8c37643c08f..94d8e9d2e1a 100644
--- a/nixos/doc/manual/installation/installing.xml
+++ b/nixos/doc/manual/installation/installing.xml
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
   hardware.</para></listitem>
 
   <listitem><para>The NixOS manual is available on virtual console 8
-  (press Alt+F8 to access).</para></listitem>
+  (press Alt+F8 to access) or by running <command>nixos-help</command>.
+  </para></listitem>
 
   <listitem><para>You get logged in as <literal>root</literal>
   (with empty password).</para></listitem>
diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/misc/nixos-manual.nix b/nixos/modules/services/misc/nixos-manual.nix
index 515864ec2e2..41cadb4a6de 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/misc/nixos-manual.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/misc/nixos-manual.nix
@@ -135,8 +135,9 @@ in
         };
       };
 
-    services.mingetty.helpLine = mkIf cfg.showManual
-      "\nPress <Alt-F${toString cfg.ttyNumber}> for the NixOS manual.";
+      services.mingetty.helpLine = "\nRun `nixos-help` "
+        + lib.optionalString cfg.showManual "or press <Alt-F${toString cfg.ttyNumber}> "
+        + "for the NixOS manual.";
 
   };