diff --git a/README b/README
index ac096dc..444e722 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ Usage: ./stm32loader.py [-hqVewvr] [-l length] [-p port] [-b baud] [-a addr] [fi
     -h          This help
     -q          Quiet
     -V          Verbose
-    -e          Erase
+    -e          Erase (note: this is required on previously written memory)
     -w          Write
-    -v          Verify
+    -v          Verify (recommended)
     -r          Read
     -l length   Length of read
     -p port     Serial port (default: /dev/tty.usbserial-ftCYPMYJ)
diff --git a/stm32loader.py b/stm32loader.py
index 95adc05..feb826a 100755
--- a/stm32loader.py
+++ b/stm32loader.py
@@ -346,9 +346,9 @@ def usage():
     -h          This help
     -q          Quiet
     -V          Verbose
-    -e          Erase
+    -e          Erase (note: this is required on previously written memory)
     -w          Write
-    -v          Verify
+    -v          Verify (recommended)
     -r          Read
     -l length   Length of read
     -p port     Serial port (default: /dev/tty.usbserial-ftCYPMYJ)