diff --git a/APE2.rst b/APE2.rst
index e899b21..6783122 100644
--- a/APE2.rst
+++ b/APE2.rst
@@ -137,7 +137,8 @@ The guidelines in relation to API changes and backward compatibility are as foll
 * New deprecations should not be introduced in bugfix releases.
 * If developers wish to make an API change at a point in time where the next
   release is a major release, they should introduce the deprecation in the major
-  release and carry out the change in the following major release.
+  release and carry out the change in the following major release
+  (i.e., the next x.0.0 that is at least a year away).
 * The following will not be considered to be part of the API and can therefore
   be changed in bugfix and minor releases: