diff --git a/bin/freebsd-version/freebsd-version.1 b/bin/freebsd-version/freebsd-version.1
index 27ed69b38bc..82ea9c707d6 100644
--- a/bin/freebsd-version/freebsd-version.1
+++ b/bin/freebsd-version/freebsd-version.1
@@ -75,6 +75,14 @@ version, next the userland version, and finally the userland version
 of the specified jails, on separate lines.
 If neither is specified, it will print the userland version only.
 .Sh IMPLEMENTATION NOTES
+The
+.Nm
+utility should provide the correct answer in the vast majority of
+cases, including on systems kept up-to-date using
+.Xr freebsd-update 8 ,
+which does not update the kernel version unless the kernel itself was
+affected by the latest patch.
+.Pp
 To determine the name (and hence the location) of a custom kernel, the
 .Nm
 utility will attempt to parse