diff --git a/checkpoint/orbax/checkpoint/_src/handlers/json_checkpoint_handler.py b/checkpoint/orbax/checkpoint/_src/handlers/json_checkpoint_handler.py
index 022757099..1f3b09b4c 100644
--- a/checkpoint/orbax/checkpoint/_src/handlers/json_checkpoint_handler.py
+++ b/checkpoint/orbax/checkpoint/_src/handlers/json_checkpoint_handler.py
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ class JsonRestoreArgs(CheckpointArgs):
 
   Attributes:
     item: unused, but included for legacy-compatibility reasons.
+      New code should not set this attribute.
   """
 
   item: Optional[bytes] = None