1 files changed, 5 insertions, 1 deletions

diff --git a/lisp/files.el b/lisp/files.el
index 68a1284b386..9f22210e2a0 100644
--- a/lisp/files.el
+++ b/lisp/files.el
@@ -337,7 +337,11 @@ Any other non-nil value means ask user whether to add a newline, when saving.
 A value of nil means don't add newlines.
 
 Certain major modes set this locally to the value obtained
-from `mode-require-final-newline'."
+from `mode-require-final-newline'.
+
+This variable is only heeded when visiting files (or saving
+visited files).  Writing data to the file system with
+`write-region' and the like is not influenced by this variable."
   :safe #'symbolp
   :type '(choice (const :tag "When visiting" visit)
                  (const :tag "When saving" t)