diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el
index 522d395eba..9d5fe40f9a 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/rmc.el
@@ -38,10 +38,10 @@ rmc--add-key-description
            ;; Not in the name string, or a special character.
            ((or (not pos)
                 (member desc '("ESC" "TAB" "RET" "DEL" "SPC")))
-            (format "[%s] %s"
+            (format "%s %s"
                     (if graphical-terminal
                         (propertize desc 'face 'read-multiple-choice-face)
-                      desc)
+                      (propertize desc 'face 'help-key-name))
                     name))
            ;; The prompt character is in the name, so highlight
            ;; it on graphical terminals.
diff --git a/lisp/novice.el b/lisp/novice.el
index 0cf54df160..d48b1109d0 100644
--- a/lisp/novice.el
+++ b/lisp/novice.el
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ disabled-command-function
                                      '((?y "yes")
                                        (?n "no")
                                        (?! "yes; enable for session")
-                                       (?\s "yes; once"))
+                                       (?\s "(the space bar) yes; once"))
                                      help-string
                                      "*Disabled Command*"))))
     (pcase char