diff --git a/Documentation/kbuild/kconfig-language.txt b/Documentation/kbuild/kconfig-language.txt
index 262722d8867b..688e41ebb4da 100644
--- a/Documentation/kbuild/kconfig-language.txt
+++ b/Documentation/kbuild/kconfig-language.txt
@@ -77,6 +77,27 @@ applicable everywhere (see syntax).
   Optionally, dependencies only for this default value can be added with
   "if".
 
+ The default value deliberately defaults to 'n' in order to avoid bloating the
+ build. With few exceptions, new config options should not change this. The
+ intent is for "make oldconfig" to add as little as possible to the config from
+ release to release.
+
+ Note:
+	Things that merit "default y/m" include:
+
+	a) A new Kconfig option for something that used to always be built
+	   should be "default y".
+
+	b) A new gatekeeping Kconfig option that hides/shows other Kconfig
+	   options (but does not generate any code of its own), should be
+	   "default y" so people will see those other options.
+
+	c) Sub-driver behavior or similar options for a driver that is
+	   "default n". This allows you to provide sane defaults.
+
+	d) Hardware or infrastructure that everybody expects, such as CONFIG_NET
+	   or CONFIG_BLOCK. These are rare exceptions.
+
 - type definition + default value:
 	"def_bool"/"def_tristate" <expr> ["if" <expr>]
   This is a shorthand notation for a type definition plus a value.