diff --git a/include/drm/drm_encoder.h b/include/drm/drm_encoder.h
index 5623994b6e9e..4370e039c015 100644
--- a/include/drm/drm_encoder.h
+++ b/include/drm/drm_encoder.h
@@ -174,7 +174,8 @@ struct drm_encoder {
 	struct drm_crtc *crtc;
 
 	/**
-	 * @bridge_chain: Bridges attached to this encoder.
+	 * @bridge_chain: Bridges attached to this encoder. Drivers shall not
+	 * access this field directly.
 	 */
 	struct list_head bridge_chain;