diff --git a/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs b/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs
index f3ac89b99ebf9..9b3e51a528364 100644
--- a/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs
@@ -4643,15 +4643,15 @@ pub struct PythonListArgs {
     #[arg(long, alias = "all_architectures")]
     pub all_arches: bool,
 
-    /// Only show installed Python versions, exclude available downloads.
+    /// Only show installed Python versions.
     ///
-    /// By default, available downloads for the current platform are shown.
+    /// By default, installed distributions and available downloads for the current platform are shown.
     #[arg(long, conflicts_with("only_downloads"))]
     pub only_installed: bool,
 
-    /// Only show Python downloads, exclude installed distributions.
+    /// Only show available Python downloads.
     ///
-    /// By default, available downloads for the current platform are shown.
+    /// By default, installed distributions and available downloads for the current platform are shown.
     #[arg(long, conflicts_with("only_installed"))]
     pub only_downloads: bool,
 
diff --git a/docs/reference/cli.md b/docs/reference/cli.md
index 7c18deb895777..abd779e000b34 100644
--- a/docs/reference/cli.md
+++ b/docs/reference/cli.md
@@ -4766,13 +4766,13 @@ uv python list [OPTIONS] [REQUEST]
 <p>When disabled, uv will only use locally cached data and locally available files.</p>
 
 <p>May also be set with the <code>UV_OFFLINE</code> environment variable.</p>
-</dd><dt id="uv-python-list--only-downloads"><a href="#uv-python-list--only-downloads"><code>--only-downloads</code></a></dt><dd><p>Only show Python downloads, exclude installed distributions.</p>
+</dd><dt id="uv-python-list--only-downloads"><a href="#uv-python-list--only-downloads"><code>--only-downloads</code></a></dt><dd><p>Only show available Python downloads.</p>
 
-<p>By default, available downloads for the current platform are shown.</p>
+<p>By default, installed distributions and available downloads for the current platform are shown.</p>
 
-</dd><dt id="uv-python-list--only-installed"><a href="#uv-python-list--only-installed"><code>--only-installed</code></a></dt><dd><p>Only show installed Python versions, exclude available downloads.</p>
+</dd><dt id="uv-python-list--only-installed"><a href="#uv-python-list--only-installed"><code>--only-installed</code></a></dt><dd><p>Only show installed Python versions.</p>
 
-<p>By default, available downloads for the current platform are shown.</p>
+<p>By default, installed distributions and available downloads for the current platform are shown.</p>
 
 </dd><dt id="uv-python-list--output-format"><a href="#uv-python-list--output-format"><code>--output-format</code></a> <i>output-format</i></dt><dd><p>Select the output format</p>