diff --git a/doc/xschem_man/run_xschem.html b/doc/xschem_man/run_xschem.html
index f3afef8e..1b2c47dd 100644
--- a/doc/xschem_man/run_xschem.html
+++ b/doc/xschem_man/run_xschem.html
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ user:~$ xschem .../xschem_library/examples/0_examples_top.sch
 usage: xschem [options] [schematic | symbol ]
 Options:
   -h  --help           Print this help.
-  -b  --batch          Detach Xschem from console.
+  -b  --detach         Detach Xschem from console and fork in the background.
   -n  --netlist        Do a netlist of the given schematic cell.
   -v  --version        Print version information and exit.
   -V  --vhdl           Set netlist type to VHDL.
diff --git a/src/options.c b/src/options.c
index f9281b9b..5056dfb9 100644
--- a/src/options.c
+++ b/src/options.c
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ void check_opt(char *opt, char *optval, int type)
         dbg(1, "process_options(): set netlist type to verilog\n");
         netlist_type=CAD_VERILOG_NETLIST;
 
-    } else if( (type == SHORT && *opt == 'b') || (type == LONG && !strcmp("batch", opt)) ) {
+    } else if( (type == SHORT && *opt == 'b') || (type == LONG && !strcmp("detach", opt)) ) {
         batch_mode = 1;
 
     } else if( (type == SHORT && *opt == 'v') || (type == LONG && !strcmp("version", opt)) ) {
diff --git a/src/xschem.help b/src/xschem.help
index 507ca140..32228d1b 100644
--- a/src/xschem.help
+++ b/src/xschem.help
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 usage: xschem [options] [schematic | symbol ]
 Options:
   -h  --help           Print this help.
-  -b  --batch          Detach Xschem from console.
+  -b  --detach         Detach Xschem from console and fork in the background.
   -n  --netlist        Do a netlist of the given schematic cell.
   -v  --version        Print version information and exit.
   -V  --vhdl           Set netlist type to VHDL.