diff --git a/doc/help/settings.asciidoc b/doc/help/settings.asciidoc
index 7731b9d78..46539c3b7 100644
--- a/doc/help/settings.asciidoc
+++ b/doc/help/settings.asciidoc
@@ -398,10 +398,10 @@ How to open links in an existing instance if a new one is launched.
 
 Valid values:
 
- * +tab+: Open a new tab in the existing window and activate it.
- * +tab-bg+: Open a new background tab in the existing window and activate it.
- * +tab-silent+: Open a new tab in the existing window without activating it.
- * +tab-bg-silent+: Open a new background tab in the existing window without activating it.
+ * +tab+: Open a new tab in the existing window and activate the window.
+ * +tab-bg+: Open a new background tab in the existing window and activate the window.
+ * +tab-silent+: Open a new tab in the existing window without activating the window.
+ * +tab-bg-silent+: Open a new background tab in the existing window without activating the window.
  * +window+: Open in a new window.
 
 Default: +pass:[window]+
diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/configtypes.py b/qutebrowser/config/configtypes.py
index 78cd88cf8..b9c760116 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/config/configtypes.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/configtypes.py
@@ -1436,15 +1436,17 @@ class NewInstanceOpenTarget(BaseType):
     """How to open links in an existing instance if a new one is launched."""
 
     valid_values = ValidValues(('tab', "Open a new tab in the existing "
-                                       "window and activate it."),
+                                       "window and activate the window."),
                                ('tab-bg', "Open a new background tab in the "
-                                          "existing window and activate it."),
+                                          "existing window and activate the "
+                                          "window."),
                                ('tab-silent', "Open a new tab in the existing "
                                               "window without activating "
-                                              "it."),
+                                              "the window."),
                                ('tab-bg-silent', "Open a new background tab "
                                                  "in the existing window "
-                                                 "without activating it."),
+                                                 "without activating the "
+                                                 "window."),
                                ('window', "Open in a new window."))