diff --git a/autoload/ale.vim b/autoload/ale.vim
index 2d29c8f7..ce2589bb 100644
--- a/autoload/ale.vim
+++ b/autoload/ale.vim
@@ -14,16 +14,17 @@ function! ale#ShouldDoNothing() abort
     \   || ale#util#InSandbox()
 endfunction
 
-" (delay, [run_file_linters])
+" (delay, [linting_flag])
 function! ale#Queue(delay, ...) abort
     if len(a:0) > 1
         throw 'too many arguments!'
     endif
 
-    let l:a1 = len(a:0) > 1 ? a:1 : 0
+    " Default run_file_linters to 0
+    let l:linting_flag = len(a:0) > 1 ? a:1 : ''
 
-    if type(l:a1) != type(1) || (l:a1 != 0 && l:a1 != 1)
-        throw 'The lint_file argument must be a Number which is either 0 or 1!'
+    if l:linting_flag !=# '' && l:linting_flag !=# 'lint_file'
+        throw "linting_flag must be either '' or 'lint_file'"
     endif
 
     if ale#ShouldDoNothing()
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ function! ale#Queue(delay, ...) abort
     endif
 
     " Remember the event used for linting.
-    let s:should_lint_file = l:a1
+    let s:should_lint_file = l:linting_flag ==# 'lint_file'
 
     if s:lint_timer != -1
         call timer_stop(s:lint_timer)
diff --git a/doc/ale.txt b/doc/ale.txt
index 9db06995..c9b51f01 100644
--- a/doc/ale.txt
+++ b/doc/ale.txt
@@ -1168,6 +1168,9 @@ ALELint                                                               *ALELint*
   Run ALE once for the current buffer. This command can be used to run ALE
   manually, instead of automatically, if desired.
 
+  This command will also run linters where `lint_file` is set to `1`, or in
+  other words linters which check the file instead of the Vim buffer.
+
   A plug mapping `<Plug>(ale_lint)` is defined for this command.
 
 
@@ -1219,17 +1222,16 @@ ALEDetail                                                           *ALEDetail*
 ===============================================================================
 7. API                                                                *ale-api*
 
-ale#Queue(delay, [run_file_linters])                              *ale#Queue()*
+ale#Queue(delay, [linting_flag])                                  *ale#Queue()*
 
   Run linters for the current buffer, based on the filetype of the buffer,
   with a given `delay`. A `delay` of `0` will run the linters immediately.
   The linters will always be run in the background. Calling this function
   again from the same buffer
 
-  An optional `run_file_linters` argument can be given. If `run_file_linters`
-  is `0`, then no linters where the `lint_file` option is set to `1` will be
-  run. If `run_file_linters` is set to `1`, then all linters for the current
-  file will be run. `run_file_linters` defaults to `0`.
+  An optional `linting_flag` argument can be given. If `linting_flag`
+  is `'lint_file'`, then linters where the `lint_file` option is set to `1` will be
+  run. Linters with `lint_file` set to `1` are not run by default.
 
 
 ale#engine#EscapeCommandPart(command_part)     *ale#engine#EscapeCommandPart()*
diff --git a/plugin/ale.vim b/plugin/ale.vim
index 84f57dbd..3033fd5c 100644
--- a/plugin/ale.vim
+++ b/plugin/ale.vim
@@ -157,14 +157,14 @@ function! s:ALEInitAuGroups() abort
     augroup ALERunOnEnterGroup
         autocmd!
         if g:ale_enabled && g:ale_lint_on_enter
-            autocmd BufEnter,BufRead * call ale#Queue(300, 1)
+            autocmd BufEnter,BufRead * call ale#Queue(300, 'lint_file')
         endif
     augroup END
 
     augroup ALERunOnSaveGroup
         autocmd!
         if g:ale_enabled && g:ale_lint_on_save
-            autocmd BufWrite * call ale#Queue(0, 1)
+            autocmd BufWrite * call ale#Queue(0, 'lint_file')
         endif
     augroup END
 
@@ -191,8 +191,8 @@ function! s:ALEToggle() abort
     let g:ale_enabled = !get(g:, 'ale_enabled')
 
     if g:ale_enabled
-        " Lint immediately
-        call ale#Queue(0)
+        " Lint immediately, including running linters against the file.
+        call ale#Queue(0, 'lint_file')
     else
         " Make sure the buffer number is a number, not a string,
         " otherwise things can go wrong.
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ command! ALEDetail :call ale#cursor#ShowCursorDetail()
 " A command for turning ALE on or off.
 command! ALEToggle :call s:ALEToggle()
 " A command for linting manually.
-command! ALELint :call ale#Queue(0)
+command! ALELint :call ale#Queue(0, 'lint_file')
 
 " Define a command to get information about current filetype.
 command! ALEInfo :call ale#debugging#Info()