diff --git a/firmware/README b/firmware/README
index 55ee089f..b4505694 100644
--- a/firmware/README
+++ b/firmware/README
@@ -48,7 +48,3 @@ use a known good .dfu file from a release package.  Load the firmware into RAM
 with:
 
 $ dfu-util --device 1fc9:000c --alt 0 --download hackrf_usb.dfu
-
-
-It is important to update the CPLD whenever you are updating firmware and a new
-CPLD image is available.  See cpld/README for instructions.
diff --git a/firmware/cpld/README b/firmware/cpld/README
index b8a278f9..cd2176cd 100644
--- a/firmware/cpld/README
+++ b/firmware/cpld/README
@@ -3,7 +3,12 @@ The primary CPLD image is: sgpio_if/default.xsvf
 This is a binary file built from HDL source in sgpio_if.  You do not need
 Xilinx tools unless you want to make your own modifications.
 
-To update the CPLD, first update the firmware, libhackrf, and hackrf-tools.
+CPLD images are automatically included in HackRF firmware.  You do not normally
+need to update the bitstream stored in the CPLD's flash memory as it is
+superseded by the image loaded into SRAM by the firmware.
+
+If you want to update the bitstream in CPLD flash for some reason, first update
+the firmware, libhackrf, and hackrf-tools.
 Then:
 
 $ hackrf_cpldjtag -x sgpio_if/default.xsvf