diff --git a/stand/defaults/loader.conf.5 b/stand/defaults/loader.conf.5
--- a/stand/defaults/loader.conf.5
+++ b/stand/defaults/loader.conf.5
@@ -343,6 +343,9 @@
 replacing it with
 .Dq spinning
 character (useful for embedded products and such).
+This setting is for the
+.Xr loader 8
+only and does not set the kernel output.
 .It Va screen.font
 Set font size for framebuffer mode.
 The default font size is selected based on screen resolution.
diff --git a/stand/man/loader_simp.8 b/stand/man/loader_simp.8
--- a/stand/man/loader_simp.8
+++ b/stand/man/loader_simp.8
@@ -358,8 +358,8 @@
 .Xr kenv 1 ,
 not for any particular value.
 .It Va boot_serial
-Force the use of a serial console even when an internal console
-is present.
+Force the use of a serial console for the kernel
+even when an internal console is present.
 .It Va boot_single
 Prevents the kernel from initiating a multi-user startup; instead,
 a single-user mode will be entered when the kernel has finished