diff --git a/docs/how-to/set-up-backups.md b/docs/how-to/set-up-backups.md
index 5aa67650..c9cf9377 100644
--- a/docs/how-to/set-up-backups.md
+++ b/docs/how-to/set-up-backups.md
@@ -45,9 +45,14 @@ not in your system `PATH`. Try looking in `/usr/local/bin/`.
 
 This generates a sample configuration file at /etc/borgmatic/config.yaml (by
 default). You should edit the file to suit your needs, as the values are
-representative. All fields are optional except where indicated, so feel free
+representative. All options are optional except where indicated, so feel free
 to ignore anything you don't need.
 
+Note that the configuration file is organized into distinct sections, each
+with a section name like `location:` or `storage:`. So take care that if you
+uncomment a particular option, also uncomment its containing section name, or
+else borgmatic won't recognize the option.
+
 You can also get the same sample configuration file from the [configuration
 reference](../../docs/reference/configuration.md), the authoritative set of
 all configuration options. This is handy if borgmatic has added new options
@@ -71,6 +76,9 @@ FAQ](http://borgbackup.readthedocs.io/en/stable/faq.html#how-can-i-specify-the-e
 for more info.
 
 
+###
+
+
 ## Initialization
 
 Before you can create backups with borgmatic, you first need to initialize a