diff --git a/lisp/novice.el b/lisp/novice.el
index 1e611ce0490..ad9fc94655c 100644
--- a/lisp/novice.el
+++ b/lisp/novice.el
@@ -71,7 +71,10 @@
 Space to try the command just this once,
       but leave it disabled,
 Y to try it and enable it (no questions if you use it again),
-N to do nothing (command remains disabled)."))
+N to do nothing (command remains disabled).")
+       (save-excursion
+	(set-buffer standard-output)
+	(help-mode)))
      (message "Type y, n or Space: ")
      (let ((cursor-in-echo-area t))
        (while (not (memq (setq char (downcase (read-char)))