diff --git a/gst/gstpad.c b/gst/gstpad.c
index 473c2a3a0a..12eb561f0d 100644
--- a/gst/gstpad.c
+++ b/gst/gstpad.c
@@ -2082,6 +2082,10 @@ gst_pad_set_link_function_full (GstPad * pad, GstPadLinkFunction link,
  *
  * Sets the given unlink function for the pad. It will be called
  * when the pad is unlinked.
+ *
+ * Note that the pad's lock is already held when the unlink
+ * function is called, so most pad functions cannot be called
+ * from within the callback.
  */
 void
 gst_pad_set_unlink_function_full (GstPad * pad, GstPadUnlinkFunction unlink,
diff --git a/gst/gstpad.h b/gst/gstpad.h
index 079eac3ac8..848933d6a6 100644
--- a/gst/gstpad.h
+++ b/gst/gstpad.h
@@ -452,6 +452,9 @@ typedef GstPadLinkReturn	(*GstPadLinkFunction)		(GstPad *pad, GstObject *parent,
  *          during the execution of this function.
  *
  * Function signature to handle a unlinking the pad prom its peer.
+ *
+ * The pad's lock is already held when the unlink function is called, so most
+ * pad functions cannot be called from within the callback.
  */
 typedef void			(*GstPadUnlinkFunction)		(GstPad *pad, GstObject *parent);