diff --git a/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn
index 50156afbf1..f2c7a095fb 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ that can be determined purely by looking at the key.
   The value is a format string, in which '${var}' is expanded to the
   value of a variable. To right-justify a variable with whitespace,
   use '${var;width}' ; to left-justify a variable, use '${var;-width}';
-  to escape unusual characters in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
+  to escape unusual characters (including control characters)
+  in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
 
   To generate a path from the top of the repository to the git-annex
   object for a key, use ${objectpath}. To generate the value of a
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn
index 675c22ee22..dde58ff61b 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ finds files in the current directory and its subdirectories.
   The value is a format string, in which '${var}' is expanded to the
   value of a variable. To right-justify a variable with whitespace,
   use '${var;width}' ; to left-justify a variable, use '${var;-width}';
-  to escape unusual characters in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
+  to escape unusual characters (including control characters)
+  in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
 
   These variables are available for use in formats: file, key, backend,
   bytesize, humansize, keyname, hashdirlower, hashdirmixed, mtime (for
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn
index d195c2f132..45419e8f1a 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ Outputs a list of keys known to git-annex.
   The value is a format string, in which '${var}' is expanded to the
   value of a variable. To right-justify a variable with whitespace,
   use '${var;width}' ; to left-justify a variable, use '${var;-width}';
-  to escape unusual characters in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
+  to escape unusual characters (including control characters)
+  in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
 
   These variables are available for use in formats: key, backend,
   bytesize, humansize, keyname, hashdirlower, hashdirmixed, mtime (for
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn
index 4e427ed540..ffa0647918 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn
@@ -85,7 +85,8 @@ received from remotes.
   The value is a format string, in which '${var}' is expanded to the
   value of a variable. To right-justify a variable with whitespace,
   use '${var;width}' ; to left-justify a variable, use '${var;-width}';
-  to escape unusual characters in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
+  to escape unusual characters (including control characters)
+  in a variable, use '${escaped_var}'
 
   These variables are available for use in formats: file, key, uuid,
   url, backend, bytesize, humansize, keyname, hashdirlower, hashdirmixed,