diff --git a/pkg/kn/commands/root.go b/pkg/kn/commands/root.go
index 30d0ac6e8..08f9411df 100644
--- a/pkg/kn/commands/root.go
+++ b/pkg/kn/commands/root.go
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ func NewKnCommand(params ...KnParams) *cobra.Command {
 Serving: Manage your services and release new software to them.
 Build: Create builds and keep track of their results.
 Eventing: Manage event subscriptions and channels. Connect up event sources.`,
+
+		// Affects children as well
+		SilenceUsage: true,
 	}
 	if p.Output != nil {
 		rootCmd.SetOutput(p.Output)
diff --git a/pkg/kn/commands/service_describe.go b/pkg/kn/commands/service_describe.go
index b5c365230..cc202800b 100644
--- a/pkg/kn/commands/service_describe.go
+++ b/pkg/kn/commands/service_describe.go
@@ -30,15 +30,14 @@ func NewServiceDescribeCommand(p *KnParams) *cobra.Command {
 		Use:   "describe NAME",
 		Short: "Describe available services.",
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			if len(args) < 1 {
+				return errors.New("requires the service name.")
+			}
 			client, err := p.ServingFactory()
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			if len(args) < 1 {
-				return errors.New("requires the service name.")
-			}
-
 			namespace := cmd.Flag("namespace").Value.String()
 			describeService, err := client.Services(namespace).Get(args[0], v1.GetOptions{})
 			if err != nil {