diff --git a/doc/api/crypto.md b/doc/api/crypto.md
index f68fc5637b982f..b68063723da8b9 100644
--- a/doc/api/crypto.md
+++ b/doc/api/crypto.md
@@ -980,6 +980,11 @@ The `decipher.update()` method can be called multiple times with new data until
 [`decipher.final()`][] is called. Calling `decipher.update()` after
 [`decipher.final()`][] will result in an error being thrown.
 
+Even if the underlying cipher implements authentication, the authenticity and
+integrity of the plaintext returned from this function may be uncertain at this
+time. For authenticated encryption algorithms, authenticity is generally only
+established when the application calls [`decipher.final()`][].
+
 ## Class: `DiffieHellman`
 
 <!-- YAML