diff --git a/man/newgidmap.1.xml b/man/newgidmap.1.xml
index ad7a186e..3c1955ac 100644
--- a/man/newgidmap.1.xml
+++ b/man/newgidmap.1.xml
@@ -85,6 +85,8 @@
     <para>
       The <command>newgidmap</command> sets <filename>/proc/[pid]/gid_map</filename> based on it's
       command line arguments and the gids allowed in <filename>/etc/subgid</filename>.
+      Note that the root user is not exempted from the requirement for a valid
+      <filename>/etc/subgid</filename> entry.
     </para>
 
     <para>
diff --git a/man/newuidmap.1.xml b/man/newuidmap.1.xml
index 04bb14fc..e07414f1 100644
--- a/man/newuidmap.1.xml
+++ b/man/newuidmap.1.xml
@@ -82,6 +82,8 @@
     <para>
       The <command>newuidmap</command> sets <filename>/proc/[pid]/uid_map</filename> based on it's
       command line arguments and the uids allowed in <filename>/etc/subuid</filename>.
+      Note that the root user is not exempted from the requirement for a valid
+      <filename>/etc/subuid</filename> entry.
     </para>
 
     <para>