diff --git a/doc/contributing.texi b/doc/contributing.texi
index 7337f4bd58..8f66b3642b 100644
--- a/doc/contributing.texi
+++ b/doc/contributing.texi
@@ -76,18 +76,19 @@ Building from Git
 hack on Guix:
 
 @example
-guix shell -D guix -CPW
+guix shell -D guix --pure
 @end example
 
 or even, from within a Git worktree for Guix:
 
 @example
-guix shell -CPW
+guix shell --pure
 @end example
 
-If @option{-C} (short for @option{--container}) is not supported on your
-system, try @command{--pure} instead of @option{-CPW}.
-@xref{Invoking guix shell}, for more information on that command.
+If building Guix fails, please check the environment variables using the
+option @command{--check}.  In the last resort, try @option{-CPWN}
+instead of @command{--pure}.  @xref{Invoking guix shell}, for more
+information on that command.
 
 If you are unable to use Guix when building Guix from a checkout, the
 following are the required packages in addition to those mentioned in the