diff --git a/README b/README
index 1931d3e..fbe7098 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ spacenavd - $Rev$
   use the graphical spnavcfg program to interactively set any of these options.
   The daemon should respond immediately to your changes, and also the
   configuration file should be updated automatically.
+  An example configuration file is included in the doc subdirectory.
 
 6. Troubleshooting
   If you're having trouble running spacenavd, read the up to date FAQ on the
diff --git a/doc/example-spnavrc b/doc/example-spnavrc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..964b343
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/example-spnavrc
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# This is an example configuration file for spacenavd. Uncomment and change
+# any settings you need and copy it to /etc/spnavrc.
+#
+# Note that it's much easier to configure sensitivities and figure out axis
+# reversals by using the interactive configure utility "spnavcfg", which lets
+# you fiddle with all the settings and see the result immediately.
+#
+# Lines that start with a `#' are comments, and are ignored by spacenavd.
+
+
+# Sensitivity is multiplied with every motion (1.0 normal).
+#sensitivity = 1.0
+
+
+# Separate sensitivity for rotation and translation.
+#sensitivity-translation = 1.0
+#sensitivity-rotation = 1.0
+
+
+# Dead zone; any motion less than this number is discarded as noise.
+#dead-zone = 2
+
+
+# Selectively invert translation and rotation axes. Valid values are
+# combinations of the letters x, y, and z.
+#invert-rot = yz
+#invert-trans = yz
+
+
+# Swap Y and Z axes
+#swap-yz = false
+
+
+# Serial device
+# Set this only if you have a serial device, and make sure you specify the
+# correct device file. If you do set this option, any USB devices will be
+# ignored!
+#serial = /dev/ttyS0
+
+
+# Enable/disable LED light (for devices that have one).
+#led = on
diff --git a/src/cfgfile.c b/src/cfgfile.c
index cb1be48..1e13a12 100644
--- a/src/cfgfile.c
+++ b/src/cfgfile.c
@@ -240,9 +240,13 @@ int write_cfg(const char *fname, struct cfg *cfg)
 		fprintf(fp, "led = 0\n\n");
 	}
 
+	fprintf(fp, "# serial device\n");
+	fprintf(fp, "#   Set this only if you have a serial device, and make sure you specify the\n");
+	fprintf(fp, "#   correct device file (On linux usually: /dev/ttyS0, /dev/ttyS1, /dev/ttyUSB0 ... etc).\n");
 	if(cfg->serial_dev[0]) {
-		fprintf(fp, "# serial device\n");
 		fprintf(fp, "serial = %s\n\n", cfg->serial_dev);
+	} else {
+		fprintf(fp, "#serial = /dev/ttyS0\n");
 	}
 
 	/* unlock */