diff --git a/lib/logstash/inputs/base.rb b/lib/logstash/inputs/base.rb
index a6e5a7393e1..f251abef77e 100644
--- a/lib/logstash/inputs/base.rb
+++ b/lib/logstash/inputs/base.rb
@@ -12,12 +12,17 @@ class LogStash::Inputs::Base < LogStash::Plugin
   # Label this input with a type.
   # Types are used mainly for filter activation.
   #
-  #
   # If you create an input with type "foobar", then only filters
   # which also have type "foobar" will act on them.
   #
   # The type is also stored as part of the event itself, so you
   # can also use the type to search for in the web interface.
+  #
+  # If you try to set a type on an event that already has one (for
+  # example when you send an event from a shipper to an indexer) then
+  # a new input will not override the existing type. A type set at 
+  # the shipper stays with that event for its life even
+  # when sent to another LogStash server.
   config :type, :validate => :string, :required => true
 
   # Set this to true to enable debugging on an input.