diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index d2ea1fc5..65466d5e 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -144,6 +144,10 @@ The configuration is stored in a file named "keyringrc.cfg"
 found in a platform-specific location. To determine
 where the config file is stored, run ``keyring diagnose``.
 
+This file is not created automatically. If it does not exist at the
+reported location, create it (and any missing parent directories)
+to configure keyring.
+
 Config file content
 -------------------
 
diff --git a/newsfragments/449.doc.rst b/newsfragments/449.doc.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..61b9bae9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/newsfragments/449.doc.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Clarified that the configuration file is not created automatically and must be created by the user if it does not already exist.