diff --git a/clap_builder/src/output/help_template.rs b/clap_builder/src/output/help_template.rs
index 8c719043..9fe7211b 100644
--- a/clap_builder/src/output/help_template.rs
+++ b/clap_builder/src/output/help_template.rs
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ impl<'cmd, 'writer> HelpTemplate<'cmd, 'writer> {
                 }
             }
         }
-        if flatten {
+        if subcmds && flatten {
             let mut cmd = self.cmd.clone();
             cmd.build();
             self.write_flat_subcommands(&cmd, &mut first);
diff --git a/clap_builder/src/output/usage.rs b/clap_builder/src/output/usage.rs
index 6e27b160..d75b704b 100644
--- a/clap_builder/src/output/usage.rs
+++ b/clap_builder/src/output/usage.rs
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ impl<'cmd> Usage<'cmd> {
         debug!("Usage::write_help_usage");
         use std::fmt::Write;
 
-        if self.cmd.is_flatten_help_set() {
+        if self.cmd.has_visible_subcommands() && self.cmd.is_flatten_help_set() {
             if !self.cmd.is_subcommand_required_set()
                 || self.cmd.is_args_conflicts_with_subcommands_set()
             {
diff --git a/tests/builder/help.rs b/tests/builder/help.rs
index 562d906c..5f413145 100644
--- a/tests/builder/help.rs
+++ b/tests/builder/help.rs
@@ -3314,15 +3314,10 @@ fn flatten_single_hidden_command() {
 parent command
 
 Usage: parent [OPTIONS]
-       parent help [COMMAND]...
 
 Options:
       --parent <parent>  
   -h, --help             Print help
-
-parent help:
-Print this message or the help of the given subcommand(s)
-  [COMMAND]...  Print help for the subcommand(s)
 ";
     let cmd = Command::new("parent")
         .flatten_help(true)