diff --git a/modules/system/system.admin.inc b/modules/system/system.admin.inc
index 0f525c6..c41c468 100644
--- a/modules/system/system.admin.inc
+++ b/modules/system/system.admin.inc
@@ -1812,7 +1812,10 @@ function system_file_system_settings() {
     '#title' => t('Private file system path'),
     '#default_value' => variable_get('file_private_path', ''),
     '#maxlength' => 255,
-    '#description' => t('An existing local file system path for storing private files. It should be writable by Drupal and not accessible over the web. See the online handbook for <a href="@handbook">more information about securing private files</a>.', array('@handbook' => 'http://drupal.org/documentation/modules/file')),
+    '#description' => t('An existing local file system path for storing private files. It should be writable by Drupal and not accessible over the web. See the online handbook for <a href="@handbook">more information about securing private files</a>. The Drupal root directory is @root', array(
+      '@handbook' => 'http://drupal.org/documentation/modules/file',
+      '@root' => DRUPAL_ROOT,
+    )),
     '#after_build' => array('system_check_directory'),
   );