diff --git a/modules/system/system.admin.inc b/modules/system/system.admin.inc
index fb0664a..9b6e59d 100644
--- a/modules/system/system.admin.inc
+++ b/modules/system/system.admin.inc
@@ -1748,7 +1748,7 @@ function system_file_system_settings() {
     '#title' => t('Private file system path'),
     '#default_value' => variable_get('file_private_path', ''),
     '#maxlength' => 255,
-    '#description' => t('A local file system path where private files will be stored. This directory must exist and be writable by Drupal. This directory should not be accessible over the web.'),
+    '#description' => t('A local file system path where private files will be stored. This directory must exist and be writable by Drupal. This directory should not be accessible over the web. For more information about securing private files, see the <a href="@handbook">online handbook</a>.', array('@handbook' => 'http://drupal.org/handbook/modules/file')),
     '#after_build' => array('system_check_directory'),
   );