diff --git a/cliff/help.py b/cliff/help.py
index 2a235def..af30504d 100644
--- a/cliff/help.py
+++ b/cliff/help.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class HelpAction(argparse.Action):
                     if namespace.debug:
                         traceback.print_exc(file=out)
                     continue
-                one_liner = cmd.get_description().split('\n')[0]
+                one_liner = cmd.get_description().split('\n')[0].rstrip('.')
                 dist_name = dist_for_obj(factory)
                 if dist_name and dist_name != app_dist:
                     dist_info = ' (' + dist_name + ')'
diff --git a/cliff/tests/test_help.py b/cliff/tests/test_help.py
index 4862f259..c9b0c8b0 100644
--- a/cliff/tests/test_help.py
+++ b/cliff/tests/test_help.py
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@ class TestHelp(base.TestBase):
         self.assertIn('usage: %s [--version]' % basecommand, help_text)
         self.assertRegex(help_text, 'option(s|al arguments):\n  --version')
         expected = (
-            '  one            Test command.\n'
-            '  three word command  Test command.\n'
+            '  one            Test command\n'
+            '  three word command  Test command\n'
         )
         self.assertIn(expected, help_text)
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/strip-period-from-help-strings-be368e5cf5bd5269.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/strip-period-from-help-strings-be368e5cf5bd5269.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9577e910
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/strip-period-from-help-strings-be368e5cf5bd5269.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    Trailing periods will now be stripped from the oneline summary shown
+    for the help command. This better aligns with the format used by
+    argparse itself.