diff --git a/lisp/org-fold-core.el b/lisp/org-fold-core.el
index 20db3a0a46..300e31a481 100644
--- a/lisp/org-fold-core.el
+++ b/lisp/org-fold-core.el
@@ -285,7 +285,9 @@
 Can be either `text-properties' or `overlays'.
 The former is faster on large files, while the latter is generally
 less error-prone with regard to third-party packages that haven't yet
-adapted to the new folding implementation."
+adapted to the new folding implementation.
+
+Important: This variable must be set before loading Org."
   :group 'org
   :package-version '(Org . "9.6")
   :type '(choice