diff --git a/sys/auto_init/auto_init.c b/sys/auto_init/auto_init.c
index 6e5d9f27eb..61e6f16ae8 100644
--- a/sys/auto_init/auto_init.c
+++ b/sys/auto_init/auto_init.c
@@ -296,6 +296,10 @@ void auto_init(void)
 
 /* initialize sensors and actuators */
 #ifdef MODULE_SHT1X
+    /* The sht1x module needs to be initialized regardless of SAUL being used,
+     * as the shell commands rely on auto-initialization. auto_init_sht1x also
+     * performs SAUL registration, but only if module auto_init_saul is used.
+     */
     DEBUG("Auto init SHT1X module (SHT10/SHT11/SHT15 sensor driver).\n");
     extern void auto_init_sht1x(void);
     auto_init_sht1x();
diff --git a/sys/auto_init/saul/auto_init_sht1x.c b/sys/auto_init/saul/auto_init_sht1x.c
index 3264ab9b45..4f49db3275 100644
--- a/sys/auto_init/saul/auto_init_sht1x.c
+++ b/sys/auto_init/saul/auto_init_sht1x.c
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@
  *
  * @author      Marian Buschsieweke <marian.buschsieweke@ovgu.de>
  *
+ * Please note that the sht1x differs from other sensor modules, as
+ * initialization is performed regardless of the use of SAUL. However, when
+ * the module `auto_init_saul` is *not* used, the SAUL registration is skipped
+ * and the initialization does *not* depend on SAUL in this case.
+ *
  * @}
  */