diff --git a/panoptes_client/project.py b/panoptes_client/project.py
index d862f5e9..0b2d81b0 100644
--- a/panoptes_client/project.py
+++ b/panoptes_client/project.py
@@ -205,6 +205,9 @@ def copy(self, new_subject_set_name=None):
         used to name a new SubjectSet for the copied project.
         This is useful for having an upload target straight after cloning.
 
+        Requirements: the source project must not be live (in development mode) and 
+        project.configuration must have a `template` key set to "true".
+
         Examples::
 
             project.copy()