diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9e73facfd0c..22dcd41f3d9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ There's a few special files in the hierarchy.
   available everywhere.
 - **Brewfile**: This is a list of applications for [Homebrew Cask](https://caskroom.github.io) to install: things like Chrome and 1Password and Adium and stuff. Might want to edit this file before running any initial setup.
 - **topic/\*.zsh**: Any files ending in `.zsh` get loaded into your
-  environment.
+  environment. Note these files will only be loaded if they are in a top-level topic folder.
 - **topic/path.zsh**: Any file named `path.zsh` is loaded first and is
   expected to setup `$PATH` or similar.
 - **topic/completion.zsh**: Any file named `completion.zsh` is loaded
diff --git a/zsh/zshrc.symlink b/zsh/zshrc.symlink
index 9ce55833097..1f6026c0ab4 100644
--- a/zsh/zshrc.symlink
+++ b/zsh/zshrc.symlink
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ fi
 
 # all of our zsh files
 typeset -U config_files
-config_files=($ZSH/**/*.zsh)
+config_files=($ZSH/*/*.zsh)
 
 # load the path files
 for file in ${(M)config_files:#*/path.zsh}