diff --git a/cmdline/support.c b/cmdline/support.c
index ae030b0c..62fd8b72 100644
--- a/cmdline/support.c
+++ b/cmdline/support.c
@@ -1699,7 +1699,7 @@ void advise_close(struct advise_struct* advise, int f)
 /* memory */
 
 /**
- * Total amount of memory allocated.
+ * Cumulative amount of memory allocated.
  */
 static size_t mcounter;
 
diff --git a/cmdline/support.h b/cmdline/support.h
index 9efacf42..61653582 100644
--- a/cmdline/support.h
+++ b/cmdline/support.h
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ void advise_close(struct advise_struct* advise, int f);
 /* memory */
 
 /**
- * Return the size of the allocated memory.
+ * Return the size of the cumulative allocated memory.
  */
 size_t malloc_counter_get(void);