diff --git a/conf/storage-conf.xml b/conf/storage-conf.xml
index 6244c97500..4c8da68d26 100644
--- a/conf/storage-conf.xml
+++ b/conf/storage-conf.xml
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@
          org.apache.cassandra.dht.RandomPartitioner and
          org.apache.cassandra.dht.OrderPreservingPartitioner.
          Range queries require using OrderPreservingPartitioner or a subclass.
+
+         Achtung!  Changing this parameter requires wiping your data directories,
+         since the partitioner can modify the sstable on-disk format.
     -->
     <Partitioner>org.apache.cassandra.dht.RandomPartitioner</Partitioner>