diff --git a/doc/fix_spring_self.html b/doc/fix_spring_self.html
index 51e4869d0c..6410e9b53c 100644
--- a/doc/fix_spring_self.html
+++ b/doc/fix_spring_self.html
@@ -41,12 +41,25 @@ same in a restarted simulation.  See the
 a fix in an input script that reads a restart file, so that the
 operation of the fix continues in an uninterrupted fashion.
 </P>
-<P>None of the <A HREF = "fix_modify.html">fix_modify</A> options are relevant to this
-fix.  No global scalar or vector or per-atom quantities are stored by
-this fix for access by various <A HREF = "Section_howto.html#4_15">output
-commands</A>.  No parameter of this fix can be
-used with the <I>start/stop</I> keywords of the <A HREF = "run.html">run</A> command.
-This fix is not invoked during <A HREF = "minimize.html">energy minimization</A>.
+<P>The <A HREF = "fix_modify.html">fix_modify</A> <I>energy</I> option is supported by this
+fix to add the energy stored in the per-atom springs to the system's
+potential energy as part of <A HREF = "thermo_style.html">thermodynamic output</A>.
+</P>
+<P>This fix computes a scalar energy which can be accessed by various
+<A HREF = "Section_howto.html#4_15">output commands</A>.  The scalar value
+calculated by this fix is "extensive", meaning it scales with the
+number of atoms in the simulation.
+</P>
+<P>No parameter of this fix can be used with the <I>start/stop</I> keywords of
+the <A HREF = "run.html">run</A> command.
+</P>
+<P>The forces due to this fix are imposed during an energy minimization,
+invoked by the <A HREF = "minimize.html">minimize</A> command.
+</P>
+<P>IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want the per-atom spring energy to be included
+in the total potential energy of the system (the quantity being
+minimized), you MUST enable the <A HREF = "fix_modify.html">fix_modify</A> <I>energy</I>
+option for this fix.
 </P>
 <P><B>Restrictions:</B> none
 </P>
diff --git a/doc/fix_spring_self.txt b/doc/fix_spring_self.txt
index 3b8436f7bd..5d4422021d 100644
--- a/doc/fix_spring_self.txt
+++ b/doc/fix_spring_self.txt
@@ -38,12 +38,25 @@ same in a restarted simulation.  See the
 a fix in an input script that reads a restart file, so that the
 operation of the fix continues in an uninterrupted fashion.
 
-None of the "fix_modify"_fix_modify.html options are relevant to this
-fix.  No global scalar or vector or per-atom quantities are stored by
-this fix for access by various "output
-commands"_Section_howto.html#4_15.  No parameter of this fix can be
-used with the {start/stop} keywords of the "run"_run.html command.
-This fix is not invoked during "energy minimization"_minimize.html.
+The "fix_modify"_fix_modify.html {energy} option is supported by this
+fix to add the energy stored in the per-atom springs to the system's
+potential energy as part of "thermodynamic output"_thermo_style.html.
+
+This fix computes a scalar energy which can be accessed by various
+"output commands"_Section_howto.html#4_15.  The scalar value
+calculated by this fix is "extensive", meaning it scales with the
+number of atoms in the simulation.
+
+No parameter of this fix can be used with the {start/stop} keywords of
+the "run"_run.html command.
+
+The forces due to this fix are imposed during an energy minimization,
+invoked by the "minimize"_minimize.html command.
+
+IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want the per-atom spring energy to be included
+in the total potential energy of the system (the quantity being
+minimized), you MUST enable the "fix_modify"_fix_modify.html {energy}
+option for this fix.
 
 [Restrictions:] none