diff --git a/cpplint/cpplint.py b/cpplint/cpplint.py
index 18aec202a..f4b111354 100755
--- a/cpplint/cpplint.py
+++ b/cpplint/cpplint.py
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@
       filter=+filter1,-filter2,...
       exclude_files=regex
       linelength=80
+      root=subdir
 
     "set noparent" option prevents cpplint from traversing directory tree
     upwards looking for more .cfg files in parent directories. This option
@@ -157,6 +158,9 @@
 
     "linelength" allows to specify the allowed line length for the project.
 
+    The "root" option is similar in function to the --root flag (see example
+    above).
+
     CPPLINT.cfg has an effect on files in the same directory and all
     sub-directories, unless overridden by a nested configuration file.
 
@@ -5886,6 +5890,9 @@ def ProcessConfigOverrides(filename):
                 _line_length = int(val)
             except ValueError:
                 sys.stderr.write('Line length must be numeric.')
+          elif name == 'root':
+            global _root
+            _root = val
           else:
             sys.stderr.write(
                 'Invalid configuration option (%s) in file %s\n' %