diff --git a/conf/cassandra.yaml b/conf/cassandra.yaml
index cfe01a65b4..bfc65d82a5 100644
--- a/conf/cassandra.yaml
+++ b/conf/cassandra.yaml
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ initial_token:
 # See http://wiki.apache.org/cassandra/HintedHandoff
 hinted_handoff_enabled: true
 # this defines the maximum amount of time a dead host will have hints
-# generated.  After it has been dead this long, hints will be dropped.
+# generated.  After it has been dead this long, new hints for it will not be
+# created until it has been seen alive and gone down again.
 max_hint_window_in_ms: 10800000 # 3 hours
 # throttle in KB's per second, per delivery thread
 hinted_handoff_throttle_in_kb: 1024