diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5f1a8990..9e2ace56 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -420,8 +420,8 @@ masternodes      Updates the list of active masternodes on the network
 Notes:
 - 'current block' is the latest created block when script is executed.
 - The market + peers databases only support (& defaults to) reindex mode.
-- If check mode finds missing data(ignoring new data since last sync),
-  index_timeout in settings.json is set too low.
+- If check mode finds missing data (other than new data since last sync),
+  this likely means that sync.update_timeout in settings.json is set too low.
 ```
 
 *It is recommended to have this script launched via a cronjob at 1+ min intervals.*
diff --git a/scripts/sync.js b/scripts/sync.js
index 07000c98..0a79ebc5 100644
--- a/scripts/sync.js
+++ b/scripts/sync.js
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ function usage() {
   console.log('Notes:');
   console.log('- \'current block\' is the latest created block when script is executed.');
   console.log('- The market + peers databases only support (& defaults to) reindex mode.');
-  console.log('- If check mode finds missing data (ignoring new data since last sync),');
-  console.log('  index_timeout in settings.json is set too low.');
+  console.log('- If check mode finds missing data (other than new data since last sync),');
+  console.log('  this likely means that sync.update_timeout in settings.json is set too low.');
   console.log('');
   process.exit(0);
 }