diff --git a/docs/usage/plugins.md b/docs/usage/plugins.md
index 43875f3a80..f7b82f2ab3 100644
--- a/docs/usage/plugins.md
+++ b/docs/usage/plugins.md
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ Each plugin must be configured with the [`plugins` options](./configuration.md#p
 }
 ```
 
+**Note:** If the `plugins` option is defined, it overrides the default plugin list, rather than merging with it.
+
 ## Plugin ordering
 
 For each [release step](../../README.md#release-steps) the plugins that implement that step will be executed in the order in which the are defined.