diff --git a/docs/configuration_file_basics.xml b/docs/configuration_file_basics.xml
index 52965b11a..4b6b33a3d 100644
--- a/docs/configuration_file_basics.xml
+++ b/docs/configuration_file_basics.xml
@@ -854,6 +854,12 @@ INLINE               net              $FW ; -m recent --rcheck 10 --hitcount 5 -
           semicolons (";;"). If alternate input is present, the adjacent
           semicolons should follow that input.</para>
 
+          <caution>
+            <para>INLINE_MATCHES=Yes is deprecated and will no longer be
+            supported in Shorewall 5.2 and beyond. Use two adjacent semicolons
+            to introduce inline matches.</para>
+          </caution>
+
           <para>Example from the masq file that spits outgoing SNAT between
           two public IP addresses</para>