diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fe95fd4..20034e1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ returning their power to whatever the room default is (usually 0).
 ## room creation
 
 use the `createroom` subcommand to create a new room according to your preferences, and join it into the parent space.
+include the `--encrypt` flag in your command to encrypt the room even if the default configuration is to create rooms
+unencrypted.
+
 will attempt to sanitize the room name and assign a room alias automatically. the bot user will be assigned very high
 power level (1000) and set an admin power level (100) to plugin administrators, 50 to moderators. this ensures that the
 bot is still able to manage room admins. the bot will also invite other users to these new rooms as configured.
diff --git a/community/bot.py b/community/bot.py
index e762302..6aa1709 100644
--- a/community/bot.py
+++ b/community/bot.py
@@ -413,11 +413,14 @@ class CommunityBot(Plugin):
             await evt.reply("lol you don't have permission to do that")
 
 
-    @community.subcommand("createroom", help="create a new room titled <roomname> and add it to the parent space")
+    @community.subcommand("createroom", help="create a new room titled <roomname> and add it to the parent space. \
+                          optionally include `--encrypt` to encrypt it regardless of the default settings.")
     @command.argument("roomname", pass_raw=True, required=True)
     async def create_that_room(self, evt: MessageEvent, roomname: str) -> None:
         if (roomname == "help") or len(roomname) == 0:
-            await evt.reply('pass me a room name (like "cool topic") and i will create it and add it to the space')
+            await evt.reply('pass me a room name (like "cool topic") and i will create it and add it to the space. \
+                            use `--encrypt` to ensure it is encrypted at creation time even if that isnt my default \
+                            setting.')
         else:
             if evt.sender in self.config["admins"] or evt.sender in self.config["mods"]:
                 encrypted_flag_regex = re.compile(r'(\s+|^)-+encrypt(ed)?\s?')