diff --git a/jetty-util/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/util/annotation/ManagedAttribute.java b/jetty-util/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/util/annotation/ManagedAttribute.java
index c5cf94f6eae..5f79e40b8d6 100644
--- a/jetty-util/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/util/annotation/ManagedAttribute.java
+++ b/jetty-util/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/util/annotation/ManagedAttribute.java
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ public @interface ManagedAttribute
     /**
      * Is the managed field read-only?
      * 
+     * Required only when a setter exists but should not be exposed via JMX
+     * 
      * @return true if readonly
      */
     boolean readonly() default false;