diff --git a/lib/public_key/src/public_key.erl b/lib/public_key/src/public_key.erl
index 34e2b5b6071..9927720da2a 100644
--- a/lib/public_key/src/public_key.erl
+++ b/lib/public_key/src/public_key.erl
@@ -2243,11 +2243,14 @@ Loads the OS supplied trusted CA certificates.
 
 This can be overridden by setting the `cacerts_path`
 environment key of the `public_key` application with
-the location of an alternative OS supplied certificate.
+the location of an alternative certificate.
 You can set it via the command line as:
 
     erl -public_key cacerts_path '"/path/to/certs.pem"'
 
+Use it with care. It is your responsibility to ensure
+that the certificates found in this alternative path
+can be trusted by the running system.
 """.
 
 -spec cacerts_load() -> ok | {error, Reason::term()}.