diff --git a/cpus.c b/cpus.c
index e11caf7cedb84e90a9ecbebc728c901ee51f19df..030843132f3841e009fa207e307e94fe53ad1904 100644
--- a/cpus.c
+++ b/cpus.c
@@ -191,8 +191,12 @@ int64_t cpu_icount_to_ns(int64_t icount)
     return icount << icount_time_shift;
 }
 
-/* return the host CPU cycle counter and handle stop/restart */
-/* Caller must hold the BQL */
+/* return the time elapsed in VM between vm_start and vm_stop.  Unless
+ * icount is active, cpu_get_ticks() uses units of the host CPU cycle
+ * counter.
+ *
+ * Caller must hold the BQL
+ */
 int64_t cpu_get_ticks(void)
 {
     int64_t ticks;
@@ -229,7 +233,8 @@ static int64_t cpu_get_clock_locked(void)
     return time;
 }
 
-/* return the host CPU monotonic timer and handle stop/restart */
+/* Return the monotonic time elapsed in VM, i.e.,
+ * the time between vm_start and vm_stop */
 int64_t cpu_get_clock(void)
 {
     int64_t ti;