diff --git a/doc/api/crypto.md b/doc/api/crypto.md
index 5c0858037021d3..6df129b36ab3d4 100644
--- a/doc/api/crypto.md
+++ b/doc/api/crypto.md
@@ -978,6 +978,11 @@ 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`
 
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