diff --git a/diskimage_builder/elements/debian-minimal/README.rst b/diskimage_builder/elements/debian-minimal/README.rst
index f7bd9eb8..aaea5d2e 100644
--- a/diskimage_builder/elements/debian-minimal/README.rst
+++ b/diskimage_builder/elements/debian-minimal/README.rst
@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@ debian-minimal
 ==============
 
 The ``debian-minimal`` element uses debootstrap for generating a
-minimal image. In contrast the ``debian`` element uses the cloud-image
-as the initial base.
+minimal image.
 
 By default this element creates the latest stable release.  The exact
 setting can be found in the element's ``environment.d`` directory in
diff --git a/diskimage_builder/elements/debian/README.rst b/diskimage_builder/elements/debian/README.rst
index 3343d84e..11b0c002 100644
--- a/diskimage_builder/elements/debian/README.rst
+++ b/diskimage_builder/elements/debian/README.rst
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 debian
 ======
 
+This element is based on ``debian-minimal`` with ``cloud-init`` and
+related tools installed.  This produces something more like a standard
+upstream cloud image.
+
 By default this element creates the latest stable release.  The exact
 setting can be found in the ``debian-minimal/environment.d`` directory
 in the variable ``DIB_RELEASE``.  If a different release of Debian