diff --git a/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/flags.go b/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/flags.go
index 87820025d3..0a98ddf2f1 100644
--- a/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/flags.go
+++ b/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/flags.go
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func (f *flagsBuilder) Bind(flagSet *pflag.FlagSet) {
 		// no way to differentiate between default and set for now
 		// perhaps we could rework pflag usage somehow
 		nil,
-		`The include directory paths. This is equivalent to roots in Buf.`,
+		`The directory paths to include. This is equivalent to roots in Buf.`,
 	)
 	flagSet.BoolVar(
 		&f.IncludeImports,
diff --git a/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/protoc.go b/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/protoc.go
index 6302ddb734..161571a4d7 100644
--- a/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/protoc.go
+++ b/private/buf/cmd/buf/command/protoc/protoc.go
@@ -48,11 +48,12 @@ func NewCommand(
 	return &appcmd.Command{
 		Use:   name + " <proto_file1> <proto_file2> ...",
 		Short: "High-performance protoc replacement.",
-		Long: `This replaces protoc using Buf's internal compiler.
+		Long: `This command replaces protoc using Buf's internal compiler.
 
-The implementation is in progress, and while it already outperforms mainline
-protoc, it has not been optimized yet. While this command is stable, it should
-be considered a preview.
+The implementation is in progress. Although it outperforms mainline protoc,
+it hasn't yet been optimized.
+
+This protoc replacement is currently stable but should be considered a preview.
 
 Additional flags: