diff --git a/documentation/contributor-guide/recipe-style-guide.rst b/documentation/contributor-guide/recipe-style-guide.rst
index 79bf7c79b67b..d05a535784d9 100644
--- a/documentation/contributor-guide/recipe-style-guide.rst
+++ b/documentation/contributor-guide/recipe-style-guide.rst
@@ -268,14 +268,17 @@ License Updates
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 When you change the :term:`LICENSE` or :term:`LIC_FILES_CHKSUM` in the recipe
-you need to briefly explain the reason for the change via a ``License-Update:``
-tag.  Often it's quite trivial, such as::
+due to an upstream license change, you need to briefly explain the reason for
+the change via a ``License-Update:`` tag. Often it's quite trivial, such as::
 
     License-Update: copyright years refreshed
 
 Less often, the actual licensing terms themselves will have changed.  If so, do
 try to link to upstream making/justifying that decision.
 
+The ``License-Update:`` tag is not needed for commits which fix incorrect
+license data in our metadata.
+
 Tips and Guidelines for Writing Recipes
 ---------------------------------------