1 files changed, 6 insertions, 1 deletions

diff --git a/lisp/locate.el b/lisp/locate.el
index 74a76fa4889..e00c68029cb 100644
--- a/lisp/locate.el
+++ b/lisp/locate.el
@@ -669,7 +669,12 @@ locate database using the shell command in `locate-update-command'."
 
 ;; Only for GNU locate
 (defun locate-in-alternate-database  (search-string database)
-  "Run the GNU locate command, using an alternate database."
+  "Run the GNU locate command, using an alternate database.
+
+This command only works if you use GNU locate.  It does not work
+properly if `locate-prompt-for-command' is set to t.  In that
+case, you can just run the regular `locate' command and specify
+the database on the command line."
   (interactive
       (list
        (progn