diff --git a/src/cut.c b/src/cut.c
index 63130c2a..dea2297e 100644
--- a/src/cut.c
+++ b/src/cut.c
@@ -128,6 +128,8 @@ void do_delete(void)
  * character, and then delete the character under the cursor. */
 void do_backspace(void)
 {
+	static bool give_a_hint = TRUE;
+
 #ifndef NANO_TINY
 	if (openfile->mark && ISSET(LET_THEM_ZAP))
 		zap_text();
@@ -136,7 +138,10 @@ void do_backspace(void)
 	if (openfile->current_x > 0 || openfile->current != openfile->filetop) {
 		do_left();
 		do_deletion(BACK);
-	}
+	} else if (give_a_hint && !ISSET(NO_HELP))
+		statusbar(_("^W = Ctrl+W    M-W = Alt+W"));
+
+	give_a_hint = FALSE;
 }
 
 /* Return FALSE when a cut command would not actually cut anything: when