diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go
index 2e944ad37..b284767ca 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_generate.go
@@ -90,7 +90,11 @@ func writePowerShellCompletion(file string) error {
 	return cmdRoot.GenPowerShellCompletionFile(file)
 }
 
-func runGenerate(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+func runGenerate(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	if len(args) > 0 {
+		return errors.Fatal("the generate command expects no arguments, only options - please see `restic help generate` for usage and flags")
+	}
+
 	if genOpts.ManDir != "" {
 		err := writeManpages(genOpts.ManDir)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go b/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
index c01fada16..213c7e898 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/cmd_init.go
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 func runInit(ctx context.Context, opts InitOptions, gopts GlobalOptions, args []string) error {
+	if len(args) > 0 {
+		return errors.Fatal("the init command expects no arguments, only options - please see `restic help init` for usage and flags")
+	}
+
 	var version uint
 	if opts.RepositoryVersion == "latest" || opts.RepositoryVersion == "" {
 		version = restic.MaxRepoVersion