diff --git a/language/predefined/errorexception/construct.xml b/language/predefined/errorexception/construct.xml
index 4f72bae38c..be8dc52970 100644
--- a/language/predefined/errorexception/construct.xml
+++ b/language/predefined/errorexception/construct.xml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
    <modifier>public</modifier> <methodname>ErrorException::__construct</methodname>
    <methodparam choice="opt"><type>string</type><parameter>message</parameter><initializer>""</initializer></methodparam>
    <methodparam choice="opt"><type>int</type><parameter>code</parameter><initializer>0</initializer></methodparam>
-   <methodparam choice="opt"><type>int</type><parameter>severity</parameter><initializer>1</initializer></methodparam>
+   <methodparam choice="opt"><type>int</type><parameter>severity</parameter><initializer>E_ERROR</initializer></methodparam>
    <methodparam choice="opt"><type>string</type><parameter>filename</parameter><initializer>__FILE__</initializer></methodparam>
    <methodparam choice="opt"><type>int</type><parameter>lineno</parameter><initializer>__LINE__</initializer></methodparam>
    <methodparam choice="opt"><type>Exception</type><parameter>previous</parameter><initializer>&null;</initializer></methodparam>
@@ -49,6 +49,12 @@
       <para>
        The severity level of the exception.
       </para>
+      <note>
+       <para>
+        While the severity can be any <type>integer</type> value, it is intended that the
+        <link linkend="errorfunc.constants">error constants</link> be used.
+       </para>
+      </note>
      </listitem>
     </varlistentry>
     <varlistentry>
diff --git a/language/predefined/errorexception/getseverity.xml b/language/predefined/errorexception/getseverity.xml
index 3173e6f21a..391c10f29f 100644
--- a/language/predefined/errorexception/getseverity.xml
+++ b/language/predefined/errorexception/getseverity.xml
@@ -39,9 +39,10 @@
 <![CDATA[
 <?php
 try {
-    throw new ErrorException("Exception message", 0, 75);
+    throw new ErrorException("Exception message", 0, E_USER_ERROR);
 } catch(ErrorException $e) {
     echo "This exception severity is: " . $e->getSeverity();
+    var_dump($e->getSeverity() === E_USER_ERROR);
 }
 ?>
 ]]>
@@ -49,7 +50,8 @@ try {
     &example.outputs.similar;
     <screen>
 <![CDATA[
-This exception severity is: 75
+This exception severity is: 256
+bool(true)
 ]]>
     </screen>
    </example>