diff --git a/src/towncrier/build.py b/src/towncrier/build.py
index ebe75e90..6752b84e 100644
--- a/src/towncrier/build.py
+++ b/src/towncrier/build.py
@@ -78,7 +78,12 @@ def _validate_answer(ctx: Context, param: Option, value: bool) -> bool:
     default=None,
     help="Render the news fragments using given version.",
 )
-@click.option("--date", "project_date", default=None)
+@click.option(
+    "--date",
+    "project_date",
+    default=None,
+    help="Render the news fragments using the given date.",
+)
 @click.option(
     "--yes",
     "answer_yes",
diff --git a/src/towncrier/newsfragments/488.misc b/src/towncrier/newsfragments/488.misc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..59a0c584
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/towncrier/newsfragments/488.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Added help output for `build`'s `--date` option.