diff --git a/content.cpp b/content.cpp
index 2563c914..fe497ba9 100644
--- a/content.cpp
+++ b/content.cpp
@@ -1729,7 +1729,10 @@ MONSTER('d', 0x901020, "Angry Die", moAngryDie, ZERO, RESERVED, moAnimatedDie,
   "You have made a die unhappy. Taste the revenge! This one won't forgive you, no matter what you do."
   )
 
-ITEM('}', 0xFFFF80, "Crossbow", itCrossbow, IC_NAI, ZERO, RESERVED, osNone, "Your crossbow.")
+ITEM('}', 0xFFFF80, "Crossbow", itCrossbow, IC_NAI, ZERO, RESERVED, osNone,
+  "Your crossbow. Press 'f' or click it in the inventory to toggle firing mode. In firing mode, select a tile to see the trajectory, then "
+  "click again to fire. After firing, the crossbow takes some time to reload."
+  )
 
 //shmupspecials
 MONSTER( '@', 0xC0C0C0, "Rogue", moPlayer, CF_FACE_UP | CF_PLAYER, RESERVED, moNone, "In the Shoot'em Up mode, you are armed with thrown Knives.")
diff --git a/pcmove.cpp b/pcmove.cpp
index 073daed8..ed0fa5a9 100644
--- a/pcmove.cpp
+++ b/pcmove.cpp
@@ -252,6 +252,7 @@ bool pcmove::try_shooting(bool auto_target) {
         }
       return false;
       }
+    addMessage(XLAT("Fire!"));
     }
   items[itCrossbow] = bow::loading_time();
   bow::shoot();
@@ -860,8 +861,12 @@ void pcmove::tell_why_cannot_attack() {
     addMessage(XLAT("You cannot attack your own mount!"));
   else if(checkOrb(c2->monst, itOrbShield))
     addMessage(XLAT("A magical shield protects %the1!", c2->monst));
+  else if(bow::crossbow_mode() && !bow::bump_to_shoot)
+    addMessage(XLAT("You have no melee weapon!"));
   else if(bow::crossbow_mode() && items[itCrossbow])
     addMessage(XLAT("Your crossbow is still reloading!"));
+  else if(bow::crossbow_mode())
+    addMessage(XLAT("Trying to fire."));
   else
     addMessage(XLAT("For some reason... cannot attack!"));
   }