diff --git a/language/oop5/static.xml b/language/oop5/static.xml
index 98b3288e2d..bdcefbc24f 100644
--- a/language/oop5/static.xml
+++ b/language/oop5/static.xml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
-<!-- $Revision: 1.17 $ -->
+<!-- $Revision: 1.18 $ -->
  <sect1 xml:id="language.oop5.static" xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook">
   <title>Static Keyword</title>
 
@@ -32,6 +32,14 @@
    Calling non-static methods statically generates an E_STRICT level warning.
   </para>
 
+  <para>
+   Like any other PHP static variable, static properties must be
+   initialized using a literal or constant; expressions are not
+   allowed. So while you may initialize a static property to an
+   integer or array (for instance), you may not initialize it to
+   another variable, to a function return value, or to an object.
+  </para>
+
   <para>
    As of PHP 5.3.0, it's possible to reference the class using a variable.
    The variable's value can not be a keyword (e.g. <literal>self</literal>,