diff --git a/packages/compartment-mapper/src/import-lite.js b/packages/compartment-mapper/src/import-lite.js
index d0beecf111..e37c474e35 100644
--- a/packages/compartment-mapper/src/import-lite.js
+++ b/packages/compartment-mapper/src/import-lite.js
@@ -204,6 +204,9 @@ export const loadFromMap = async (readPowers, compartmentMap, options = {}) => {
     } else {
       // sync module transforms are allowed, because they are "compatible"
       // with async module transforms (not vice-versa)
+
+      // this needs to be done _here_ in the case that `syncModuleTranforms` was provided
+      // against an otherwise-async operation.
       const moduleTransforms = /** @type {ModuleTransforms} */ ({
         ...behavior.options.syncModuleTransforms,
         ...behavior.options.moduleTransforms,