diff --git a/src/build/arg/mod.rs b/src/build/arg/mod.rs
index 053cb2dd4a5d..4566877d71f4 100644
--- a/src/build/arg/mod.rs
+++ b/src/build/arg/mod.rs
@@ -5013,9 +5013,16 @@ impl<'help> Display for Arg<'help> {
         } else if let Some(s) = self.short {
             write!(f, "-{}", s)?;
         }
+        let is_optional_val = self.min_vals == Some(0);
         if !self.is_positional() && self.is_set(ArgSettings::TakesValue) {
             let sep = if self.is_set(ArgSettings::RequireEquals) {
-                "="
+                if is_optional_val {
+                    "[="
+                } else {
+                    "="
+                }
+            } else if is_optional_val {
+                " ["
             } else {
                 " "
             };
@@ -5024,6 +5031,9 @@ impl<'help> Display for Arg<'help> {
         if self.is_set(ArgSettings::TakesValue) || self.is_positional() {
             display_arg_val(self, |s, _| write!(f, "{}", s))?;
         }
+        if !self.is_positional() && self.is_set(ArgSettings::TakesValue) && is_optional_val {
+            write!(f, "]")?;
+        }
 
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/src/output/help.rs b/src/output/help.rs
index 7544b0c18df3..f7e02db7e4f5 100644
--- a/src/output/help.rs
+++ b/src/output/help.rs
@@ -269,13 +269,11 @@ impl<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> Help<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Writes argument's long command to the wrapped stream.
+    /// Writes argument's long command and possible values to the wrapped stream.
     fn long(&mut self, arg: &Arg<'help>) -> io::Result<()> {
         debug!("Help::long");
-        if arg.is_positional() {
-            return Ok(());
-        }
-        if arg.is_set(ArgSettings::TakesValue) {
+        let is_optional_val = arg.min_vals == Some(0);
+        if !arg.is_positional() && arg.is_set(ArgSettings::TakesValue) {
             if let Some(l) = arg.long {
                 if arg.short.is_some() {
                     self.none(", ")?;
@@ -284,7 +282,13 @@ impl<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> Help<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> {
             }
 
             let sep = if arg.is_set(ArgSettings::RequireEquals) {
-                "="
+                if is_optional_val {
+                    "[="
+                } else {
+                    "="
+                }
+            } else if is_optional_val {
+                " ["
             } else {
                 " "
             };
@@ -295,12 +299,7 @@ impl<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> Help<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> {
             }
             self.good(&format!("--{}", l))?;
         }
-        Ok(())
-    }
 
-    /// Writes argument's possible values to the wrapped stream.
-    fn val(&mut self, arg: &Arg<'help>, next_line_help: bool, longest: usize) -> io::Result<()> {
-        debug!("Help::val: arg={}", arg.name);
         if arg.is_set(ArgSettings::TakesValue) || arg.is_positional() {
             display_arg_val(
                 arg,
@@ -308,13 +307,28 @@ impl<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> Help<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> {
             )?;
         }
 
-        debug!("Help::val: Has switch...");
+        if !arg.is_positional() && arg.is_set(ArgSettings::TakesValue) && is_optional_val {
+            self.none("]")?;
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Write alignment padding between arg's switches/values and its about message.
+    fn align_to_about(
+        &mut self,
+        arg: &Arg<'help>,
+        next_line_help: bool,
+        longest: usize,
+    ) -> io::Result<()> {
+        debug!("Help::align_to_about: arg={}", arg.name);
+        debug!("Help::align_to_about: Has switch...");
         if self.use_long {
-            // long help prints messages on the next line so it don't need to align text
-            debug!("Help::val: printing long help so skip alignment");
+            // long help prints messages on the next line so it doesn't need to align text
+            debug!("Help::align_to_about: printing long help so skip alignment");
         } else if !arg.is_positional() {
             debug!("Yes");
-            debug!("Help::val: nlh...{:?}", next_line_help);
+            debug!("Help::align_to_about: nlh...{:?}", next_line_help);
             if !next_line_help {
                 let self_len = display_width(arg.to_string().as_str());
                 // subtract ourself
@@ -439,7 +453,7 @@ impl<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> Help<'help, 'app, 'parser, 'writer> {
     ) -> io::Result<()> {
         self.short(arg)?;
         self.long(arg)?;
-        self.val(arg, next_line_help, longest)?;
+        self.align_to_about(arg, next_line_help, longest)?;
 
         let about = if self.use_long {
             arg.long_help.unwrap_or_else(|| arg.help.unwrap_or(""))
diff --git a/tests/builder/help.rs b/tests/builder/help.rs
index 274dd66b1246..b4a0ce3f0f59 100644
--- a/tests/builder/help.rs
+++ b/tests/builder/help.rs
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ OPTIONS:
         --multvalsmo <one> <two>     Tests multiple values, and mult occs
     -o, --option <opt>...            tests options
     -O, --option3 <option3>          specific vals [possible values: fast, slow]
+        --optvaleq[=<optval>]        Tests optional value, require = sign
+        --optvalnoeq [<optval>]      Tests optional value
     -V, --version                    Print version information
 
 SUBCOMMANDS:
diff --git a/tests/builder/utils.rs b/tests/builder/utils.rs
index 094531362e6c..c54b5808ec1c 100644
--- a/tests/builder/utils.rs
+++ b/tests/builder/utils.rs
@@ -94,6 +94,15 @@ pub fn complex_app() -> App<'static> {
             arg!(--maxvals3 <maxvals> "Tests 3 max vals")
                 .required(false)
                 .max_values(3),
+            arg!(--optvaleq <optval> "Tests optional value, require = sign")
+                .required(false)
+                .min_values(0)
+                .number_of_values(1)
+                .require_equals(true),
+            arg!(--optvalnoeq <optval> "Tests optional value")
+                .required(false)
+                .min_values(0)
+                .number_of_values(1),
         ])
         .subcommand(
             App::new("subcmd")
diff --git a/tests/derive/options.rs b/tests/derive/options.rs
index 0f21708b0b23..c0ab79e8a164 100644
--- a/tests/derive/options.rs
+++ b/tests/derive/options.rs
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@ fn option_option_type_help() {
         arg: Option<Option<i32>>,
     }
     let help = utils::get_help::<Opt>();
-    assert!(help.contains("--arg <val>"));
-    assert!(!help.contains("--arg <val>..."));
+    assert!(help.contains("--arg [<val>]"));
+    assert!(!help.contains("--arg [<val>]..."));
 }
 
 #[test]