diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi
index 56b1cd8976..b1b0ab37d4 100644
--- a/doc/guix.texi
+++ b/doc/guix.texi
@@ -8327,10 +8327,12 @@ This is the declarative counterpart of @code{text-file}.
 @end deffn
 
 @deffn {Scheme Procedure} computed-file @var{name} @var{gexp} @
-          [#:options '(#:local-build? #t)]
+          [#:local-build? #t]
+          [#:options '()]
 Return an object representing the store item @var{name}, a file or
-directory computed by @var{gexp}.  @var{options}
-is a list of additional arguments to pass to @code{gexp->derivation}.
+directory computed by @var{gexp}.  When @var{local-build?} is true (the
+default), the derivation is built locally.  @var{options} is a list of
+additional arguments to pass to @code{gexp->derivation}.
 
 This is the declarative counterpart of @code{gexp->derivation}.
 @end deffn
diff --git a/guix/gexp.scm b/guix/gexp.scm
index 67b6121313..9d3c52e783 100644
--- a/guix/gexp.scm
+++ b/guix/gexp.scm
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 ;;; Copyright © 2018 Clément Lassieur <clement@lassieur.org>
 ;;; Copyright © 2018 Jan Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
 ;;; Copyright © 2019, 2020 Mathieu Othacehe <m.othacehe@gmail.com>
+;;; Copyright © 2020 Maxim Cournoyer <maxim.cournoyer@gmail.com>
 ;;;
 ;;; This file is part of GNU Guix.
 ;;;
@@ -504,13 +505,15 @@ This is the declarative counterpart of 'text-file'."
   (options    computed-file-options))             ;list of arguments
 
 (define* (computed-file name gexp
-                        #:key guile (options '(#:local-build? #t)))
+                        #:key guile (local-build? #t) (options '()))
   "Return an object representing the store item NAME, a file or directory
-computed by GEXP.  OPTIONS is a list of additional arguments to pass
-to 'gexp->derivation'.
+computed by GEXP.  When LOCAL-BUILD? is #t (the default), it ensures the
+corresponding derivation is built locally.  OPTIONS may be used to pass
+additional arguments to 'gexp->derivation'.
 
 This is the declarative counterpart of 'gexp->derivation'."
-  (%computed-file name gexp guile options))
+  (let ((options* `(#:local-build? ,local-build? ,@options)))
+    (%computed-file name gexp guile options*)))
 
 (define-gexp-compiler (computed-file-compiler (file <computed-file>)
                                               system target)