diff --git a/docs/man/freshclam.1.in b/docs/man/freshclam.1.in
index d194782297..31ad5d02d0 100644
--- a/docs/man/freshclam.1.in
+++ b/docs/man/freshclam.1.in
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ This option forces old non\-DNS verification method (without a TTL delay).
 Check #n times per day for a new database. #n must be between 1 and 50.
 .TP
 \fB\-\-datadir=DIRECTORY\fR
-Install new database in DIRECTORY. The directory must be writable for the '@CLAMAV_USER@' user or unprivileged user running freshclam.
+Install new database in DIRECTORY. The directory must be writable for the '@CLAMAV_USER@' user or unprivileged user running freshclam, already exist, and be an absolute path.
 .TP
 \fB\-\-daemon\-notify=/path/to/clamd.conf\fR
 Notify the daemon about the new database. By default it reads a hardcoded config file but you can use a different one. Both local and TCP sockets are supported.
diff --git a/docs/man/freshclam.conf.5.in b/docs/man/freshclam.conf.5.in
index 4a580f9b6d..19f9dcd983 100644
--- a/docs/man/freshclam.conf.5.in
+++ b/docs/man/freshclam.conf.5.in
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ Write the daemon's pid to the specified file.
 Default: disabled
 .TP
 \fBDatabaseDirectory STRING\fR
-Path to a directory containing database files.
+Path to a directory containing database files.  This directory must already exist, be an absolute path, be writeable by freshclam and readable by clamd/clamscan.
 .br
 Default: @DATADIR@
 .TP
diff --git a/etc/freshclam.conf.sample b/etc/freshclam.conf.sample
index 14a87217a9..d91fe813b5 100644
--- a/etc/freshclam.conf.sample
+++ b/etc/freshclam.conf.sample
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ Example
 
 # Path to the database directory.
 # WARNING: It must match clamd.conf's directive!
+# WARNING: It must already exist, be an absolute path, be writeable by
+# freshclam, and be readable by clamd/clamscan.
 # Default: hardcoded (depends on installation options)
 #DatabaseDirectory /var/lib/clamav
 
diff --git a/win32/conf_examples/freshclam.conf.sample b/win32/conf_examples/freshclam.conf.sample
index 3e95d81a07..fa7dd961be 100644
--- a/win32/conf_examples/freshclam.conf.sample
+++ b/win32/conf_examples/freshclam.conf.sample
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ Example
 
 # Path to the database directory.
 # WARNING: It must match clamd.conf's directive!
+# WARNING: It must already exist, be an absolute path, be writeable by
+# freshclam, and be readable by clamd/clamscan.
 # Default: hardcoded (depends on installation options)
 #DatabaseDirectory "C:\Program Files\ClamAV\database"