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.";
 
   };