diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/list_timeline/index.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/list_timeline/index.js
index 1dcd4de144..ae136e48f9 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/list_timeline/index.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/list_timeline/index.js
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ export default class ListTimeline extends React.PureComponent {
           scrollKey={`list_timeline-${columnId}`}
           timelineId={`list:${id}`}
           loadMore={this.handleLoadMore}
-          emptyMessage={<FormattedMessage id='empty_column.list' defaultMessage='There is nothing in this list yet.' />}
+          emptyMessage={<FormattedMessage id='empty_column.list' defaultMessage='There is nothing in this list yet. When members of this list post new statuses, they will appear here.' />}
         />
       </Column>
     );
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json b/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json
index 3633025b8b..5c39bd682d 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
   "empty_column.hashtag": "There is nothing in this hashtag yet.",
   "empty_column.home": "Your home timeline is empty! Visit {public} or use search to get started and meet other users.",
   "empty_column.home.public_timeline": "the public timeline",
-  "empty_column.list": "There is nothing in this list yet.",
+  "empty_column.list": "There is nothing in this list yet. When members of this list post new statuses, they will appear here.",
   "empty_column.notifications": "You don't have any notifications yet. Interact with others to start the conversation.",
   "empty_column.public": "There is nothing here! Write something publicly, or manually follow users from other instances to fill it up",
   "follow_request.authorize": "Authorize",