diff --git a/llm/cli.py b/llm/cli.py
index 3517fd871..4133ccf15 100644
--- a/llm/cli.py
+++ b/llm/cli.py
@@ -2497,7 +2497,11 @@ def render_model_with_options(model_id, *, async_=False):
 )
 @click.option("model_ids", "-m", "--model", help="Specific model IDs", multiple=True)
 def models_list(options, async_, schemas, tools, query, model_ids):
-    "List available models"
+    """List available models.
+
+    Some plugins only register their models after an API key is configured.
+    Run 'llm keys set' to store API keys for installed model providers.
+    """
     models_that_have_shown_options = set()
     for model_with_aliases in get_models_with_aliases():
         if async_ and not model_with_aliases.async_model:
diff --git a/tests/test_llm.py b/tests/test_llm.py
index 825ca4f3c..3cf644422 100644
--- a/tests/test_llm.py
+++ b/tests/test_llm.py
@@ -523,6 +523,14 @@ def test_llm_models_options(user_path):
     assert "AsyncMockModel (async): mock" not in result.output
 
 
+def test_llm_models_help_mentions_api_keys():
+    runner = CliRunner()
+    result = runner.invoke(cli, ["models", "list", "--help"])
+    assert result.exit_code == 0
+    assert "Some plugins only register their models after an API key" in result.output
+    assert "llm keys set" in result.output
+
+
 def test_prompt_options_shows_selected_model_options(user_path):
     runner = CliRunner()
     result = runner.invoke(cli, ["-m", "gpt-5.5", "--options"], catch_exceptions=False)