diff --git a/Documentation/git-branch.txt b/Documentation/git-branch.txt
index 6103d62fe3..27b73bcf9e 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-branch.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-branch.txt
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ OPTIONS
 	based sha1 expressions such as "<branchname>@\{yesterday}".
 
 -f::
-	Force the creation of a new branch even if it means deleting
-	a branch that already exists with the same name.
+	Reset <branchname> to <startpoint> if <branchname> exists
+	already. Without `-f` 'git-branch' refuses to change an existing branch.
 
 -m::
 	Move/rename a branch and the corresponding reflog.