diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 94738bfb9e..1c4ebd4ac3 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1041,7 +1041,7 @@ Optional Features:
   --enable-filters=all    Turn on all internal I/O filters. One may also
                           specify a comma-separated list of filters or the
                           word no. The default is all internal I/O filters.
-  --enable-hl             Do not compile the high level library [default=yes]
+  --enable-hl             Enable the high level library [default=yes]
 
 Optional Packages:
   --with-PACKAGE[=ARG]    use PACKAGE [ARG=yes]
diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index 575c967dc8..4806e6e0a2 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -2825,7 +2825,7 @@ AC_SUBST(HL_FOR) HL_FOR=""
 AC_MSG_CHECKING([if high level library is enabled])
 AC_ARG_ENABLE([hl],
               [AC_HELP_STRING([--enable-hl],
-	                      [Do not compile the high level library [default=yes]])],
+	                      [Enable the high level library [default=yes]])],
               [HDF5_HL=$enableval],
 	      [HDF5_HL=yes])