diff --git a/cmd/gh/main.go b/cmd/gh/main.go
index 5fc4c2385..b4ed862fd 100644
--- a/cmd/gh/main.go
+++ b/cmd/gh/main.go
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ func printError(out io.Writer, err error, cmd *cobra.Command, debug bool) {
 
 func shouldCheckForUpdate() bool {
 	isCIEnvironment := (os.Getenv("CI") != "") || (os.Getenv("BUILD_NUMBER") != "") || (os.Getenv("RUN_ID") != "")
-	isGlobalDisabled := os.Getenv("GH_NO_UPDATE_NOTIFIER") == "disabled"
+	isGlobalDisabled := os.Getenv("GH_NO_UPDATE_NOTIFIER") != ""
 	return updaterEnabled != "" && !isCompletionCommand() && utils.IsTerminal(os.Stderr) && !isCIEnvironment && !isGlobalDisabled
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/cmd/root/help_topic.go b/pkg/cmd/root/help_topic.go
index bd23bc68a..02218a818 100644
--- a/pkg/cmd/root/help_topic.go
+++ b/pkg/cmd/root/help_topic.go
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ func NewHelpTopic(topic string) *cobra.Command {
 
 		CLICOLOR_FORCE: set to a value other than "0" to keep ANSI colors in output
 		even when the output is piped.
+
+		GH_NO_UPDATE_NOTIFIER: set to "1" to disable checking for updates.
 	`)
 
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{