diff --git a/compose/reference/scale.md b/compose/reference/scale.md
index 0c948720cd..bf553f872f 100644
--- a/compose/reference/scale.md
+++ b/compose/reference/scale.md
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ notoc: true
 ---
 
 > **Note**: This command is deprecated. Use the [up](up.md) command with the
-  `--scale` flag instead.
+  `--scale` flag instead. Beware that using `up` with `--scale` flag has some
+  [subtle differences](https://github.com/docker/compose/issues/5251) with the `scale` command as it incorporates the behaviour
+  of `up` command.
 
 ```
 Usage: scale [SERVICE=NUM...]