diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cc24fe8..7bd2d95 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -530,8 +530,9 @@ create certificates. It then:
 
 The upload goes to the repository in `builder.json`, always. When it fails (no
 GitHub login, or a token that cannot write secrets) the error is printed and
-the command carries on: files, values and the build profile are written and
-shown anyway, and it exits non-zero at the end so a script notices. `--json`
+the command carries on: files and values are written and shown anyway, but
+the build profile is not, since `builder.json` must not claim a set the
+repository does not have. It exits non-zero at the end so a script notices. `--json`
 reports the same in `github_upload` (`ok` or the error).
 
 **Extensions.** Every extension target (a widget, a share or notification
diff --git a/cmd/builder/signing.go b/cmd/builder/signing.go
index e814d8f..ad352d6 100644
--- a/cmd/builder/signing.go
+++ b/cmd/builder/signing.go
@@ -63,8 +63,9 @@ way when it is missing.
 
 The names and the values to put in them are always printed too, for
 Codemagic, Bitrise or a repository this login cannot write to. A failed upload
-is reported and the command carries on — the files and the build profile are
-written regardless — and it exits non-zero at the end.`,
+is reported and the command carries on — the files are written and the values
+printed, but the build profile is not, since builder.json must not claim a set
+the repository does not have — and it exits non-zero at the end.`,
 	RunE: runSigningSetup,
 }