diff --git a/doc/man3/SSL_CTX_use_certificate.pod b/doc/man3/SSL_CTX_use_certificate.pod
index 4dff79cee2..b065d8f9e5 100644
--- a/doc/man3/SSL_CTX_use_certificate.pod
+++ b/doc/man3/SSL_CTX_use_certificate.pod
@@ -170,6 +170,13 @@ L<SSL_CTX_set_default_passwd_cb(3)>.
 of view, it however does not make sense as the data in the certificate
 is considered public anyway.)
 
+All of the functions to set a new certificate will replace any existing
+certificate of the same type that has already been set. Similarly all of the
+functions to set a new private key will replace any private key that has already
+been set. Applications should call L<SSL_CTX_check_private_key(3)> or
+L<SSL_check_private_key(3)> as appropriate after loading a new certificate and
+private key to confirm that the certificate and key match.
+
 =head1 RETURN VALUES
 
 On success, the functions return 1.