diff --git a/Documentation/gitattributes.txt b/Documentation/gitattributes.txt
index 83fd4e19a4..60984a4682 100644
--- a/Documentation/gitattributes.txt
+++ b/Documentation/gitattributes.txt
@@ -160,11 +160,12 @@ unspecified.
 ^^^^^
 
 This attribute sets a specific line-ending style to be used in the
-working directory.  It enables end-of-line conversion without any
-content checks, effectively setting the `text` attribute.  Note that
-setting this attribute on paths which are in the index with CRLF line
-endings may make the paths to be considered dirty.  Adding the path to
-the index again will normalize the line endings in the index.
+working directory.  This attribute has effect only if the `text`
+attribute is set or unspecified, or if it is set to `auto` and the file
+is detected as text.  Note that setting this attribute on paths which
+are in the index with CRLF line endings may make the paths to be
+considered dirty. Adding the path to the index again will normalize the
+line endings in the index.
 
 Set to string value "crlf"::