diff --git a/.env.sample b/.env.sample
index 37b626a5..55d9ccb6 100644
--- a/.env.sample
+++ b/.env.sample
@@ -8,12 +8,13 @@
 
 # –––––––––––––––– REQUIRED ––––––––––––––––
 
-# Generate a unique random key, you can use `openssl rand -hex 32` in terminal
-# DO NOT LEAVE UNSET
+# Generate a unique 32 character hexadecimal key. The format is important as this
+# value is fed directly into encryption libraries. You should use `openssl rand -hex 32`
+# in your terminal to generate a random value.
 SECRET_KEY=generate_a_new_key
 
-# Generate a unique random key, you can use `openssl rand -hex 32` in terminal
-# DO NOT LEAVE UNSET
+# Generate a unique random key. The format is not important but you could still use 
+# `openssl rand -hex 32` in your terminal to produce this.
 UTILS_SECRET=generate_a_new_key
 
 # For production point these at your databases, in development the default
@@ -134,4 +135,4 @@ SMTP_REPLY_EMAIL=
 
 # The default interface language. See translate.getoutline.com for a list of 
 # available language codes and their rough percentage translated.
-DEFAULT_LANGUAGE=en_US
\ No newline at end of file
+DEFAULT_LANGUAGE=en_US