diff --git a/src/libvirt.c b/src/libvirt.c
index 0e5f4a2c05..be1766880f 100644
--- a/src/libvirt.c
+++ b/src/libvirt.c
@@ -2758,6 +2758,9 @@ error:
  * to Domain0 i.e. the domain where the application runs.
  * This function requires privileged access to the hypervisor.
  *
+ * This command only changes the runtime configuration of the domain,
+ * so can only be called on an active domain.
+ *
  * Returns 0 in case of success and -1 in case of failure.
  */
 int
@@ -2808,6 +2811,9 @@ error:
  * to Domain0 i.e. the domain where the application runs.
  * This function may requires privileged access to the hypervisor.
  *
+ * This command only changes the runtime configuration of the domain,
+ * so can only be called on an active domain.
+ *
  * Returns 0 in case of success and -1 in case of failure.
  */
 int
@@ -4821,6 +4827,9 @@ error:
  * does not support it or if growing the number is arbitrary limited.
  * This function requires privileged access to the hypervisor.
  *
+ * This command only changes the runtime configuration of the domain,
+ * so can only be called on an active domain.
+ *
  * Returns 0 in case of success, -1 in case of failure.
  */
 
@@ -4879,6 +4888,9 @@ error:
  * Dynamically change the real CPUs which can be allocated to a virtual CPU.
  * This function requires privileged access to the hypervisor.
  *
+ * This command only changes the runtime configuration of the domain,
+ * so can only be called on an active domain.
+ *
  * Returns 0 in case of success, -1 in case of failure.
  */
 int