diff --git a/nose/config.py b/nose/config.py
index 5997aaf7..56966fd1 100644
--- a/nose/config.py
+++ b/nose/config.py
@@ -529,8 +529,8 @@ def getParser(self, doc=None):
         parser.add_option(
             "-I", "--ignore-files", action="append", dest="ignoreFiles",
             metavar="REGEX",
-            help="Completely ignore any file that matches this regular "
-            "expression. Takes precedence over any other settings or "
+            help="Completely ignore any file with a basename matching this "
+            "regular expression. Takes precedence over any other settings or "
             "plugins. "
             "Specifying this option will replace the default setting. "
             "Specify this option multiple times "