diff --git a/server/start.go b/server/start.go
index 53f266a49537..363a023777ab 100644
--- a/server/start.go
+++ b/server/start.go
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ is performed. Note, when enabled, gRPC will also be automatically enabled.
 	cmd.Flags().Uint64(FlagStateSyncSnapshotInterval, 0, "State sync snapshot interval")
 	cmd.Flags().Uint32(FlagStateSyncSnapshotKeepRecent, 2, "State sync snapshot to keep")
 
-	cmd.Flags().Bool(FlagIAVLFastNode, true, "Enable fast node for IAVL tree")
+	cmd.Flags().Bool(FlagIAVLFastNode, true, "Disable fast node for IAVL tree, set to 'false' to enable")
 
 	// add support for all Tendermint-specific command line options
 	tcmd.AddNodeFlags(cmd)