diff --git a/cfg/rippled-example.cfg b/cfg/rippled-example.cfg
index 0a669313066..9891e44c885 100644
--- a/cfg/rippled-example.cfg
+++ b/cfg/rippled-example.cfg
@@ -283,12 +283,14 @@
 #       ssl_cert
 #
 #           Specifies the path to the SSL certificate file in PEM format.
-#           This is not needed if the chain includes it.
+#           This is not needed if the chain includes it. Use ssl_chain if
+#           your certificate includes one or more intermediates.
 #
 #       ssl_chain
 #
 #           If you need a certificate chain, specify the path to the
 #           certificate chain here. The chain may include the end certificate.
+#           This must be used if the certificate includes intermediates.
 #
 #   ssl_ciphers = <cipherlist>
 #