diff --git a/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c b/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c
index 1935818040e2..47e226fdedd7 100644
--- a/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c
+++ b/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c
@@ -35,9 +35,13 @@ static const char mconf_readme[] = N_(
 "kernel parameters which are not really features, but must be\n"
 "entered in as decimal or hexadecimal numbers or possibly text.\n"
 "\n"
-"Menu items beginning with [*], <M> or [ ] represent features\n"
-"configured to be built in, modularized or removed respectively.\n"
-"Pointed brackets <> represent module capable features.\n"
+"Menu items beginning with following braces represent features that\n"
+"  [ ] can be built in or removed\n"
+"  < > can be built in, modularized or removed\n"
+"  { } can be built in or modularized (selected by other feature)\n"
+"  - - are selected by other feature,\n"
+"while *, M or whitespace inside braces means to build in, build as\n"
+"a module or to exclude the feature respectively.\n"
 "\n"
 "To change any of these features, highlight it with the cursor\n"
 "keys and press <Y> to build it in, <M> to make it a module or\n"
@@ -569,7 +573,7 @@ static void build_conf(struct menu *menu)
 				if (sym_is_changable(sym))
 					item_make("[%c]", val == no ? ' ' : '*');
 				else
-					item_make("---");
+					item_make("-%c-", val == no ? ' ' : '*');
 				item_set_tag('t');
 				item_set_data(menu);
 				break;
@@ -579,10 +583,13 @@ static void build_conf(struct menu *menu)
 				case mod: ch = 'M'; break;
 				default:  ch = ' '; break;
 				}
-				if (sym_is_changable(sym))
-					item_make("<%c>", ch);
-				else
-					item_make("---");
+				if (sym_is_changable(sym)) {
+					if (sym->rev_dep.tri == mod)
+						item_make("{%c}", ch);
+					else
+						item_make("<%c>", ch);
+				} else
+					item_make("-%c-", ch);
 				item_set_tag('t');
 				item_set_data(menu);
 				break;